Rory McIlroy's link to Michael Jordan that has helped him through US Open heartbreak

Rory McIlroy has opened up about the support he received from basketball icon Michael Jordan following his gut-wrenching near-miss at the 2024 U.S. Open. The Northern Irish golf ace, who was pipped to the post by Bryson DeChambeau after a shocking late collapse, shared that MJ reached out with comforting words after his devastating loss.

The 35 year old golfer, who's been chasing a major win for over a decade, led the tournament with just five holes remaining but faltered dramatically, missing crucial putts down the stretch. Despite the crushing blow at Pinehurst, McIlroy wasn't alone in his disappointment; sporting legends like Rafael Nadal and Michael Jordan were quick to console him.

Speaking to the Guardian, McIlroy recounted the uplifting messages from these titans of sport: "Two of the most unbelievable competitors that have ever been in sport. MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th but both of them got in touch very, very quickly. They just told me to keep going. MJ reminded me of how many game-winning shots he missed. Really nice."

It seems he's taken the advice to heart, as he shared his upbeat outlook on overcoming recent struggles. McIlroy said: "You have to be an eternal optimist. Say you play 25 events a year and win three of those. You are one of the best players in history. We lose way more than we win."

McIlroy has previously enjoyed quality time with Jordan, recalling a memorable hangout in Florida with Shane Lowry and Luke Donald after Team Europe's Ryder Cup triumph. Lowry shared the moment with The Irish Independent : "Rory and Luke [Donald] started texting [Jordan], and the next thing [I know], we're sitting there drinking with Michael Jordan, just the four of us.

"And I'm like, 'Whaat!' He's very much a pro-USA guy. It was the first Ryder Cup he hadn't been to in 25 years, so we gave him a good slagging."

The basketball legend didn't hold back on sharing his thoughts during their get-together, especially on the topic of Ryder Cup payments. Reflecting on Jordan's input, McIlroy revealed: "We were talking about the issue of players being paid at the Ryder Cup, and he told a story about the US basketball team."

NBA great Michael Jordan is an eager golf fan and struck up an understanding with Rory McIlroy following the Ryder Cup in 2023
(Image: Scott Halleran/PGA of America via Getty Images)

"He told a story about the U.S. basketball team, the Dream Team at the Olympics in ’92. ‘Do you not think I could have got paid to play in the Olympics?' he said: 'These people are missing the point of what it means'. He saw the long-term value of winning an Olympics, and said he ended up doing way better than if he had taken money there and then."

As their unlikely union came to a close, the group weighed up getting a photograph of them together in the aftermath of their Ryder Cup heroics. However, Lowry revealed that they decided against it, adding: "He doesn't need that. But ... myself, Rory, Luke and MJ sitting around talking about the Ryder Cup. Not really how I envisioned the celebrations."