Rory McIlroy has another Masters and little else the rest of the majors

Rory McIlroy finds himself in a familiar position after the conclusion of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Despite securing a major victory at the Masters earlier this year, his performance in the remaining major championships of 2026 has remained underwhelming. He finished in a tie for 40th place at The Open this past weekend, struggling to gain momentum throughout the tournament.

McIlroy acknowledges the pattern is similar to his previous season. After achieving his career Grand Slam goal last year, he struggled to maintain that same competitive edge for the duration of the calendar year. He notes that while winning a major remains a significant achievement that demands respect, he recognizes the need for consistency across the entire schedule.

Looking ahead, McIlroy plans to take some time for family before shifting his focus to the PGA Tour postseason. His goals for the remainder of the year are clear, as he eyes both the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai. He remains committed to playing hard through the end of the season in search of another tour title.

Elsewhere at Royal Birkdale, the competition saw various challenges for top players. Lucas Herbert narrowly missed a chance at a Masters invite after a late bogey, while Jon Rahm and Robert MacIntyre faced scrutiny for conduct warnings related to on-course outbursts. Ryan Fox ultimately claimed the title at the season’s final major, taking home the top share of the purse.