Rory McIlroy has announced a brief hiatus after celebrating his second Masters title, following a disappointing week at the Open Championship. The world No. 2 finished tied for 40th at Royal Birkdale, 1‑under par, noting that he was “stuck in neutral” for most of the four rounds. Despite a solid tee shot performance, his approach play and putting left him unable to recover.

McIlroy said the lack of momentum meant every swing that seemed to improve turned into a bogey. “Even par over the weekend isn’t enough,” he told reporters, explaining that the highs of winning a major are hard to sustain when the rest of the season falters.

He plans to use the break to relish the Masters victory with his wife Poppy and daughter Erica, rather than rush back, and the 37‑year‑old noted that the grind of week‑in, week‑out PGA Tour play no longer fuels him. He is now “at a stage” where other priorities take precedence.

During the Open, McIlroy also criticized Bryson De Chambeau, calling the penalty “pretty obvious” and saying he’s “not particularly fond” of the American’s performative behavior. He welcomed the idea of De Chambeau competing at the Irish Open in September.