Rory McIlroy’s 2024 season has been a topic of discussion among golf enthusiasts, with some claiming it was a flop due to his 11-year Major title drought. Despite this, McIlroy had a successful season with four victories worldwide, including big events like the Wells Fargo Championship and Dubai Desert Classic. The season will be remembered for his collapse at the US Open, where he missed crucial putts to lose by one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau. However, he went on to win a sixth European Tour Order of Merit title in November.
In a review of McIlroy’s season, Nick Bonfield rated it a 7/10, stating that any season without a Major win for McIlroy falls short of expectations. McIlroy’s last Major victory was in the PGA Championship a decade ago, and his failure to secure another one in 2024 is disappointing. Despite his successes in other tournaments, Bonfield believes that McIlroy needs to overcome the mental hurdle of winning a Major again. Losing out on the US Open title and finishing third in the Official World Golf Ranking highlight the challenges McIlroy faced in 2024.
Another writer, Jonny Leighfield, also rated McIlroy’s season a 7/10, echoing Bonfield’s sentiments on the importance of winning a Major. While acknowledging McIlroy’s achievements in winning multiple tournaments, Leighfield emphasized the difficulty McIlroy faces in breaking through at Majors due to accumulated “scar tissue.” He commended McIlroy for his consistency throughout the season but emphasized the need for him to focus on winning Majors in the future.
A more positive assessment of McIlroy’s season came from another writer, who rated it an 8/10. Highlighting McIlroy’s victories at the Dubai Desert Classic, Zurich Classic, Wells Fargo Championship, and DP World Tour Championship, the writer emphasized that McIlroy’s performance would be celebrated if achieved by a lesser-known golfer. While the US Open defeat was painful, the writer credited McIlroy for his overall strong showing in 2024 and expressed optimism for his future performances.
Overall, McIlroy’s 2024 season was marked by both successes and challenges. While he missed out on a Major title once again, he demonstrated his elite-level skills by winning multiple tournaments and maintaining a consistent performance throughout the year. The recurring theme of McIlroy’s Major drought remains a focal point of discussion, with analysts highlighting the mental obstacles he faces in overcoming this hurdle. As McIlroy looks ahead to the 2025 season, the golfing world eagerly anticipates whether he can break through and secure another Major victory to solidify his legacy in the sport.
