World expected Rory to win, that’s why it’s so tough for him – says JT
JUSTIN THOMAS insists Rory McIlroy is having to cope with incredible exterior pressures as his Major drought continued agonisingly at St Andrews.
The Northern Ireland superstar was on the brink of etching his name into folklore with an Open win at the Home of Golf.
McIlroy led going into the final nine holes and carried the support and expectation of almost the entire crowd on the Old Course.
However, as he fought to claim a fifth Major, he was frustratingly overtaken by the astonishing Cameron Smith burst that left him heartbroken.
McIlroy insists he will come back and challenge for more big titles and Thomas has outlined the levels of scrutiny placed upon his rival and friend.
The 33-year-old finished no worse than eighth in any of this year’s four majors, the first time he has top-10s in every one in a calendar year.
But the winless streak is now nine years and Thomas said: “The expectation part is one of the hardest things that I have had to deal with in terms of feeling like I should play well, or feeling that I should win, or wanting to win because everybody wants you to win.
“That is really underrated to be able to perform with those expectations and that pressure.
“It’s different. Rory has a lot more fans than I do.
“It’s hard. Sunday was going to be hard to win a golf tournament.
“It was going to be difficult for anybody but especially him, with the amount of people that are pulling for him.
“He’s been a million times and he is going to understand how to channel it and use it to his advantage.”
As well as playing, McIlroy has also adopted a figurehead position for the PGA and DP World Tour against the threats posed by LIV Golf.
Thomas said: “He’s earned the right to be arguably the second biggest name in golf other than Tiger for us with the success he’s had.
“It’s one of those things where you can’t just open your mouth or speak your mind and have honest takes on things.
“You have to be one of the best players in the world AND be that and Rory does that well.”
Ian Poulter also backed McIlroy and says his peers have nothing but admiration for his quality.
He said: “We all admire Rory for everything that he’s done in the game at such an early age. He’s good for the game.”