Rory McIlroy accused of acting like a 'child' after missing out on US Open glory to Bryson DeChambeau
Rory McIlroy was visibly pained as he missed out on US Open glory
NBC
Body language expert Judi James has suggested Rory McIlroy behaved like a child when he missed out on US Open glory to Bryson DeChambeau on Sunday night.
The Northern-Irishman looked destined to win a first major since the 2014 PGA Championship when he led by two shots with five holes to play.
Yet McIlroy inexplicitly collapsed, with DeChambeau capitalising to win the second major of his career.
Footage from NBC showed the golf star watching the action unfold, with McIlroy looking glum and subdued.
Rory McIlroy was visibly pained as he missed out on US Open glory
NBC
He stood with his hands on his hips, no doubt wondering what could have been.
And body language expert James, speaking to The Mirror, has suggested he was 'quite childlike' as he witnessed DeChambeau beating him to glory.
"The body language performance here looks quite childlike, almost mimicking a child with a brewing sulk," she said.
"As McIlroy watches the TV he almost announces a state of defeat from his slumped shoulders, glum mouth expression and the way his cap is pushed back on his head.
"His hands are on his lower back but then comes a rather dramatic re-positioning when he brings them round to plonk them around his waist, seeming to want to let everyone know how he is feeling in the moment."
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McIlroy didn't hang around in the wake of his crushing blow at Pinehurst.
The 35-year-old made a swift exit and snubbed media duties as DeChambeau celebrated his stunning triumph.
McIlroy has since revealed he'll be taking a short break from golf as he looks to get over the 'toughest' day of his career.
"Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I've had in my nearly 17 years as professional golfer," he said on Monday.
"As I reflect on my week, 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.
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"But as I always try to do, I'll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives.
"As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel close to winning my next major championship, than I ever have.
"The one word that I would describe my career as is 'resilient'. I've shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.
"I'm going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open at Royal Troon.
"See you in Scotland.”
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McIlroy also belatedly congratulated DeChambeau on his win.
"I'd like to congratulate Bryson," McIlroy said. "He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that."
Xander Schauffele, meanwhile, feels McIlroy is in a 'tough spot' and will benefit from a brief break.
Rory McIlroy has congratulated Bryson DeChambeau on his US Open triumph
REUTERS
"As a competitor, all of us have had our highs and lows to a certain degree. It's a tough spot," he said.
"I'm sure him and his team are discussing what happened and sometimes you just need to step away from it all and really try and be as objective as possible, because you're very much in the moment there and it obviously didn't go his way.
"He needs some time away to figure out what's going on."