Rory McIlroy reaches unwanted career milestone

Rory McIlroy knew this day was coming 22 holes into the final men's major of the year at Royal Troon. 

The four-time major champion was hoping to stick around for the weekend at The Open by making inroads early in his second round. 

But things went south quickly and, by the time he reached the 7th tee he was already 6-over for the day and thinking of holiday destinations. 

He likely was thinking of how he was going to have to spend the next nine months being asked the same questions about whether or not he'll ever win The Masters. 

McIlroy pointed out there was still a lot to play for, such as the Olympic Games, FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai. 

But we all know what he cares most about, don't we? 

Legacy, history and an annual seat at the table next to Tiger Woods at Augusta National. 

Now we have arrived at 10 August 2024. 

The date marks the beginning of a second decade in McIlroy's bid for a fifth major championship. 

His last major triumph came as a bushy-haired 25-year-old when he claimed the PGA Championship in darkness at Valhalla. 

Few would have expected that a drought this long was to follow but this is where we are. 

Since that day in Louisville, Kentucky, 39 men's major championships have been played and won by 26 different players. 

Some golfers in the same generation as McIlroy have won multiple times in that span. 

Brooks Koepka is now a five-time major champion. 

Jon Rahm has won two. 

Bryson DeChambeau battled back from wrist and hip injuries to claim his second major at the 2024 U.S. Open. 

Now McIlroy has Scottie Scheffler and an increasingly confident Xander Schauffele to contend with. 

There's also a young Swede by the name of Ludvig Aberg who the Ulsterman will be wary of. 

At 35 years old, you could argue that McIlroy is now teeing it up on the back nine of his career. 

But he'll take solace from the fact that, providing he takes care of his body and remains focussed he'll have plenty more chances of glory. 

And he'll take note of the history books. 

Phil Mickelson was 34 years old when he got his hands on his first major in golf, 12 years after he made his professional debut. 

Lefty went on to win five more, including the 2021 PGA Championship when he became the oldest major winner in history at 50 years, 11 months and seven days. 

But this is a young man's game. 

Who knows what's in store for the next chapter of McIlroy's career. 

Whatever comes to pass, we know it will be a captivating watch. 

What has Rory McIlroy said about not winning The Masters?

McIlroy has made no secret of the fact that winning The Masters is the ultimate goal. 

He would complete the career grand slam and join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Gary Player as the only golfers to win each and every major. 

"I'd love to win The Masters," McIlroy told reporters at the turn of the year. 

"It's the only major that I haven't won. 

"St Andrews is where the game started, but Augusta has become this cathedral of golf in some way, and all the greats of the game have won there in the past.

"It's the only major that we go back to each year on the same golf course. 

"It seems like it gets bigger and bigger every year, and it's the first major of the year too - it's more hyped up."

Rory McIlroy record in majors since 2014:

2014

• Masters: T8
• U.S. Open: T23
• The Open Championship: Win
• PGA Championship: Win 

2015

• Masters: 4th
• U.S. Open: T9
• The Open Championship: Did not play (Injury)
• PGA Championship: 17th

2016

• Masters: T10
• U.S. Open: MC
• The Open Championship: T5
• PGA Championship: MC

2017

• Masters: T7
• U.S. Open: MC
• The Open Championship: T4
• PGA Championship: T22

2018

• Masters: T5
• U.S. Open: MC
• The Open Championship: T2
• PGA Championship: T50

2019

• Masters: T21
• U.S. Open: T9
• The Open Championship: MC
• PGA Championship: T8

2020

• Masters: T5 
• U.S. Open: T8
• The Open Championship: Postponed
• PGA Championship: T33

2021

• Masters: MC
• U.S. Open: T7
• The Open Championship: T46
• PGA Championship: T49

2022

• Masters: 2
• U.S. Open: T5
• The Open Championship: 3rd
• PGA Championship: 8th

2023

• Masters: Missed Cut
• U.S. Open: 2
• The Open Championship: T6
• PGA Championship: T7

2024

• Masters: T22
• U.S. Open: 2
• The Open Championship: MC
• PGA Championship: T12

Summary:

• Wins: 2
• Top five finishes: 15
• Missed cuts: 7

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