Rory McIlroy’s WD Faces a Xander Schauffele Threat as Traveler’s Championship May Steal His Final Shred of Relief

“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” said Rory McIlroy after his heartbreaking loss by one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open. The golfer has been waiting 10 long years for his fifth major, and it now seems to be getting dreadful. The final round was a roller coaster for him, with him leading the charge one moment and trailing behind the next. With five holes to go, he had a shot lead over DeChambeau, only to lose it after hitting three bogeys.

It definitely took a huge toll on the golfer, leading to his decision to withdraw from the Travelers Championship, the last signature event of the season. However, this choice to sit out the tournament could potentially add to his difficulties. But in what way?

Rory McIlroy’s OWGR is at risk

The world ranking assigns points to golfers based on their performance on the greens. Despite minimal change in the rankings following the majors, McIlroy returned to his former #2 position after finishing T2. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele, who held second place after winning the PGA Championship, now sits at #3. However, it’s obvious that if a pro golfer chooses to skip a tournament, they will not earn any points from that event.

This will happen for Rory McIlroy as well. If Schauffele wins the tournament, McIlroy’s ranking could be impacted. Schauffele has shown good form, as seen in his performances at the PGA Championship (winner) and the US Open (T7). Currently, McIlroy is the only pro from the field who is choosing to skip the Travelers Championship. With Collin Morikawa and others playing, it’s hard to say where the Irishman will end up in the rankings after the tournament.

In the statement where Rory McIlroy talked about his withdrawal, he also highlighted that “I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day.” Highlighting the missed putts, particularly on the 18th hole, which was crucially close, the golfer is reflecting deeply on what went wrong. With a focused mindset, he has confirmed his comeback for the Genesis Scottish Open, an event he won in 2023.

The setback at another major has led McIlroy to engage in introspection, hoping to address areas for improvement before the Open Championship. As for rankings, are these the only aspects that could be affected if the Irishman takes a break? Thankfully, yes!

Rory McIlroy’s break will not impact his chances in the Olympics

The Paris Olympics are set to take place from July 24th to August 11th, and Rory McIlroy has secured a spot to represent Ireland alongside his 2024 Zurich Classic-winning teammate Shane Lowry. Despite the possibility of a considerable decline in his world rankings, McIlroy’s participation in the Olympics remains confirmed, ensuring he can fulfill his patriotic dream. Meanwhile, even after winning the silver trophy, Bryson DeChambeau doesn’t receive this luxury.

Interestingly, this summer’s Paris Olympic Games will be hosted at the former Ryder Cup venue, Le Golf National. What do you think about Rory McIlroy’s decision to take a break? Do you think he will be able to make a strong comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments below!