Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from this week's Travelers Championship following his devastating defeat at the US Open. The Northern Irish golfer squandered a two-shot lead with five holes remaining at Pinehurst No. 2, missing two short putts to allow Bryson DeChambeau to snatch victory.
McIlroy, 35, left the course immediately after DeChambeau's win and later flew to Florida. In a social media statement, he described the loss as 'probably the toughest' in his 17-year professional career, but vowed to bounce back.
The withdrawal means McIlroy will avoid CBS presenter Amanda Balionis, who is working at the Travelers Championship. Rumours had linked the pair during McIlroy's temporary separation from his wife Erica Stoll, though the couple have since reconciled.
McIlroy plans to take a few weeks off before defending his titles at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon next month. 'I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have,' he said in his statement.
