Rory McIlroy: "I'd much rather have it this way than if people didn't really care"

Rory McIlroy says he doesn't mind having to deal with unfair expectations because it means he is in a privileged position. 

McIlroy opened up about an exhausting year in a new documentary that was aired this week on Sky Sports where he discussed his year on and off the course.

The Northern Irishman, 35, managed four worldwide wins - the Dubai Desert Classic, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Wells Fargo Championship and the DP World Tour Championship - but it's likely his campaign will be remembered for what he didn't achieve. 

Most notably, a glorious chance to end his 10-year wait for a major championship went begging at the U.S. Open when he collapsed over the final three holes, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to snatch the title. 

McIlroy overhauled a three-shot deficit in the final round at Pinehurst No.2. and led by two with five holes remaining but missed par putts within four feet at the 16th and 18th to derail his chances in epic fashion. 

He pointed out to Sky Sports that the way the course is set-up meant that he was waiting for the aforementioned DeChambeau to hit multiple shots down the stretch.

"You're very aware of what is happening behind you," he said. 

"It's hard enough just having to concentrate on yourself and just focus on what you're doing but whenever your attention is taken away by focusing [and] looking at what your competitor does it makes it even more difficult. 

"I think it was a combination of everything that went into me playing those last four holes in three-over par."

In the immediate aftermath of that crushing disappointment McIlroy sped off, opting not to stay behind to congratulate DeChambeau on his second major title or offer a few words to the media.

His behaviour was criticised. 

Asked who his harsher critic is, himself or the world's golf media, McIlroy replied: "Probably the media and the social media aspect. 

"I'm hard on myself but at the same time, again, as I said I try to focus very hard on the positives and move forward and learn from my mistakes but then move on because that's all you can do in any walk of life."

He added: "The hard thing is in my position is your disappointments and mistakes keep getting brought up to you every time you get in front of a camera or a press conference asking questions."

You could argue that for any other golfer, McIlroy's 2024 was remarkable. 

But for McIlroy he is clearly held to a higher and perhaps unreasonable standard. 

He said: "I am in a very fortunate position that this is what I get to do for a living so if I have to deal with unfair expectations or I am held to a higher standard than others than so be it I feel like that's a very privileged position to be in 

"I'd much rather have it this way than if people didn't really care."

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