“I still consider it a successful season,” said World No. 3 Rory McIlroy in a recent interview ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. With two victories, seven Top-10 finishes, nearly $11m in earnings on the PGA Tour — and the inside track to winning the Race to Dubai, McIlroy’s resume in 2024 is undeniably impressive.

And with the ongoing tournament, he may also capture a third consecutive Race to Dubai title. Still, McIlroy knows the weight of his performance this year. “I’ve been proud of that over the past few years,” he reflected. While acknowledging his consistency and three wins, including a chance for a fourth at the Race to Dubai, McIlroy made a bold claim about the ones that “got away.”

He lamented the absence of a fifth major title, something he has failed to achieve for the last 10 years. As expected, this statement did not sit well with many fans. “I could be sitting up here with a fifth Major title and I am not. So that stings and that’s something I have to come to terms with but … I’ve got plenty more opportunities in the future,” McIlroy said.

Despite those stinging missed chances, McIlroy sees his year as a success. “You know, did I achieve every goal I set for myself this year? Probably not. But I still consider it a successful season,” he said. While McIlroy is indeed optimistic about his future, it was rather perceived as arrogance by many fans setting off a wave of online criticism.

Fans give Rory McIlroy a “reality” check

“The arrogance of this guy.” Rory McIlroy‘s recent comments, particularly about missing out on a fifth major title, have sparked some strong reactions online. Fans, many of whom once admired his honesty, are now calling him out for being a bit too self-assured. McIlroy expressed disappointment over not winning his fifth major, and his frankness seemed to rub a few people in the wrong way.

One commenter summed it up with, “Shoulda woulda coulda,” emphasizing that McIlroy was too stuck in the past rather than focusing on the present. Another fan called him out, saying, “Maybe stop crying about everything and play golf instead,” suggesting McIlroy should put his energy into improving his game rather than dwelling on missed opportunities.

And it’s not just the major titles that are ruffling feathers. McIlroy’s outspoken criticism of LIV Golf has also drawn some fire. One user fired back, “Maybe all that time crying about the LIV golfers didn’t help.” Early in the LIV-PGA feud, McIlroy was one of the most vocal critics, often calling out players who joined the controversial Saudi-backed tour.

Critics argue that McIlroy’s focus on these issues, combined with his self-criticism over his near-victories, takes away from his accomplishments and gives off a vibe of arrogance. Some even brought up his 2024 U.S. Open loss in a dramatic playoff to Bryson DeChambeau, questioning McIlroy’s confidence in that scenario. “You just assume you would’ve won a playoff against Bryson, when in reality, Bryson probably wins because he’s younger and a better golfer,” one fan pointed out, suggesting that McIlroy’s self-assessment of past tournaments might not be as accurate as he thinks.

While McIlroy’s frustration about missing out on a fifth major after a decade’s drought is understandable, especially given his consistency and success, fans are starting to show signs of impatience. The honesty that used to make him relatable now feels a bit entitled to some. His bold claims, once seen as a sign of confidence, now have some wondering if they’re doing more harm than good to his public image.

As the season closes and McIlroy continues to chase major titles, one big question remains: Will his overconfidence drive him to more victories, or is it pushing away the very fanbase that used to support him? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!