Rory McIlroy has revealed he accidentally 'blanked' a text message from Tiger Woods as the two men prepare for The Open later this week.
McIlroy missed out on glory at Pinehurst last month, with Bryson DeChambeau winning the major instead after a fascinating battle in the United States.
It meant the Northern Irishman's agonising wait for another major goes on, with McIlroy yet to win a tournament of such prestige since the PGA Championship back in 2014.
Woods, speaking ahead of The Open this week, revealed he texted McIlroy to console the 35-year-old after DeChambeau's triumph.
Rory McIlroy has revealed he accidentally 'blanked' a text message from Tiger Woods as the two men prepare for The Open later this week
REUTERS
"As you know I'm your friend," Woods said about his text.
"I know this is a difficult moment. We've all been there as champions. We all lose. Unfortunately it just happened. The raw emotion of it is still there and it's going to be there for I'm sure some time.
"The faster he's able to get back on the horse and get back in contention like he did last week, the better it is for him."
However, McIlroy has since revealed that he didn't get the text message because he changed his phone number. Therefore, he was unable to reply.
"Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the US Open, so I didn't get it until he told me about it," said the Briton.
"I was like 'Oh thanks very much'. So I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing.
"But I caught up with him earlier. It's always nice when your hero and the guy that you had on your bedroom wall is reaching out and offering words of encouragement."
McIlroy, according to the Daily Mail, exchanged texts with sporting icons Rafael Nadal and Michael Jordan before changing his phone number.
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It is all part of the 35-year-old's plan to reset things, with the golf star feeling he requires change in order to finally end his wait for the major he craves.
McIlroy does feel, however, that the signs are positive. He recently performed well at the Scottish Open, finishing fourth after a three-week break. He was in good spirits during a practice round with Darren Clarke on Tuesday, too.
"I know I'm in a good spot," he said.
"If I think about 2015 through 2020, that five-year stretch I seldom had a realistic chance to win a major championship. So I'd much rather have these close calls. It means I'm getting closer."
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Rory McIlroy missed out on US Open glory to Bryson DeChambeau last month
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McIlroy opted to take a brief rest after the US Open. He jetted from his home in Florida to Manhattan and spent time in New York walking around with his headphones in, zoning out of golf in the process. That's something he believes sets him in good stead.
"It was liberating," he said.
"The thing is just to get out, to not be on a screen, to look around, trying to find the joy from the small things in life.
"Going there was a good reset, just in terms of seeing everyone living their lives and the hustle and the bustle.
Rory McIlroy feels in a good place as he prepares to play at The Open this week
REUTERS
"Honestly, no one gave a s**t if I missed the putt at Pinehurst. It's a nice perspective to keep.
"You just go and get lost in a big city like that and be one of the herd going about your day. For me, it's a nice feeling."
McIlroy, understandably, was dejected amid his wait for glory. He's now revealed, however, that the gloom made way for hunger just days after DeChambeau pipped him to the prize.
"I would say maybe three or four days after, I went from being very disappointed and dejected to trying to focus on the positives to then wanting to learn from the negatives and then getting to the point where you become enthusiastic and motivated to go again," he added.
And whether McIlroy can win The Open this week, as he chases a first major in a decade, remains to be seen.
