Rory McIlroy reveals what was his downfall after missing the cut at The Open

Rory McIlroy’s bid for a fifth major title will take another decade after he produced his second-worst performance at the Open Championship.

Five weeks after his heartbreaking loss at the US Open, McIlroy added a second round 75 to his opening 78 at Royal Troon to finish 11-over par, one stroke better than his 2013 Muirfield finish.

The world number two admitted he began to reconsider his holiday plans after his slim chance of making the cut went up in smoke when he completed the first six holes in six over par, including a triple-bogey of eight on the fourth.

“I had the worst start ever today and once I got those eight holes in, it was over. 22 holes into the tournament, I’m already thinking about where I’m going to go on vacation next week,” said McIlroy, whose last major success came in 2014.

“I wasn’t going to be four or five under to make the cut. It was a pretty meaningless 14 holes after that, but at least I played OK.”

McIlroy admitted he couldn’t cope with the windy conditions on the first two days. He added: ‘The two majors where I played poorly, the Masters and here, Friday in Augusta, I was struggling with the wind and I couldn’t adapt at all here.’

‘I didn’t feel comfortable for a few strokes and that four-hole stretch cost me the match.’

After dropping a shot on his third, McIlroy made triple bogey on his fourth. He failed to get his ball more than a few feet from the heavy rough, missed the green with his fourth shot and then chipped into a greenside bunker.

More shots followed on the fifth and sixth holes before conditions improved slightly and McIlroy made seven straight pars with a birdie on the 14th hole after holing out from a greenside bunker.

McIlroy could only laugh at this and did the same on the 16th, after hitting himself in the face with his club as he tried to throw it in the air after a push approach to the par five.

“I think I say this at every Open Championship, but it’s not like we only do four events a year,” McIlroy added.

“We’re playing as 25, so there’s still a few things we need to do. Obviously the majors have come and gone, but (I can) refocus a little bit and try to reset for the Olympics, which will be another cool experience and try to play well there.

‘And on the other hand I plan to win both (money list) titles on both sides of the Atlantic, so there is still plenty to win until the end of the year.’