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(NORTH BERWICK, Scotland) - World number 2 Rory McIlroy says he has processed and moved on from his late collapse at the 2024 US Open that saw the trophy slip through his fingers.

It seems Rors is still feeling the sting from that collapse at Pinehurst! Word around the locker room is he was more shook than he's letting on. We all know how badly he wants another big one, and this was as close as he's come in ages.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after missing a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Pinehurst, N.C. (Matt York/AP)

Speaking in Scotland ahead of this week's Genesis Scottish Open, McIlroy looked back on his difficult final round at Pinehurst No. 2 where a two shot lead disappeared over the closing three holes.

"A great day until it wasn't," McIlroy said of his round that saw birdies on holes 9,10,12 and 13 lift him to 8-under par. Bogeys on 15,16 and 18 ultimately cost him, with Bryson DeChambeau claiming his second US Open title by a single stroke.

The Northern Irishman admitted the few days immediately after were tough to take but says he's since thought about it constructively. "I got over it pretty quickly. The few days after it were pretty tough at times, but I feel like I've done a good job of thinking about it rationally and constructively and taking what I need from it and trying to learn from it. But like for the most part it was a great day."

Rory McIlroy is back on the PGA Tour this week, and he finally shared his thoughts about losing the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Getty Images

McIlroy pinpointed his discomfort on the 16th green as a turning point, missing a short birdie putt after waiting for playing partner Patrick Cantlay. 

"Like halfway down the first putt, it looked like it could be a birdie, and it ran a foot by where I thought it was going to finish," said McIlroy. "Then I marked it, and then Patrick was hitting his putt and he can take his time. Obviously, greens are tough. It's the end of a Sunday at the U.S. Open. Like, you have to be really deliberate in what you're doing."

A pulled tee shot into trouble on 18 and a 4-foot par putt that stayed above the hole completed McIlroy's collapse. 

"I just left it on the wrong side of the hole," he said. "I got above the hole, where the hole was cut on top of the little slope and ended up pretty dry and crusty around the hole. And the chip shot just ran out a little bit and got past the hole. I hit that putt very, very easy, and obviously just missed on the low side, and it still went a good 3 or 4 feet by.

"So I was probably playing it, I don't know, like two, 2 1⁄2 cups left, whatever it was. There was a lot of swing to it, especially with how easy I was hitting it. Like I said, if it was match play and the next one didn't matter, I would have approached the putt differently."

Now he plans to learn from the experience as he tries to end a near 10-year wait for his next major title.

"I think as you achieve more in the game, you can soften the blow, if you look at everything I've been able to accomplish," McIlroy said. "It's been a while since I've won a major. It hurt, but I felt worse after some other losses. I felt worse after Augusta in '11, and I felt worse after St Andrews [the 2022 Open Championship]. It was up there with the tough losses but not the toughest."

The reigning Scottish Open champion will look to quickly bounce back this week at The Renaissance Club, citing past ability to turn tough losses into future successes. McIlroy's sights remain firmly set on the Claret Jug up for grabs next week at Royal Troon as he once again enters an Open Championship among the favorites.

"When I look back on that day, just like I look back on some of my toughest moments in my career, I'll learn a lot from it, and I'll hopefully put that to good use," McIlroy said. "It's something that's been a bit of a theme throughout my career. I've been able to take those tough moments and turn them into great things not very long after that."

Rory will be hoping to bounce back strong this week as he defends his Scottish Open title. While he fell just short at the US Open, his form has otherwise been superb with multiple wins and top finishes. That consistency makes him one of the favorites again here.

It should help that he's playing a course he knows well, having lifted the trophy 12 months ago. Teeing it up alongside friends like MacIntyre and Hovland takes some pressure off too. But he'll need to stay focused after the crushing way the US Open slipped through his fingers.

Rors acknowledged some things to work on with his routine under pressure. No doubt he's been putting in the practice to shore up any mental weaknesses. But he's backing Harry on the bag despite some criticism, and that loyalty will serve him well.

Next week, he'll want to hit the ground running in Scotland. A strong title defense could do wonders for his confidence after Pinehurst. We know this is a big one for Rory - winning another major is what he dreams of. Expect him to pour everything into contending on the links he knows best. It sets him up perfectly to get back in the groove on the biggest stage.

Keep an eye on the Scottish Open this week too. Word is he's looking for a statement performance. The bet is he'll be bringing it hard to prove he's still got it. Spicy weekend ahead, you don't want to miss it!

References: https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/40531569/rory-mcilroy-says-moved-us-open-collapse