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Rory McIlroy reflects on watching his 2011 US Open win on TV

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 7:30 PM

Last updated Aug 12, 2026

Rory McIlroy reflects on watching his 2011 US Open win on TV

Summary

Rory McIlroy discussed the impact of rewatching his 2011 US Open victory during an appearance on The WHOOP Podcast in 2025. He noted that rewatching the event changed his memories of that week, stating, "I really shouldn’t watch myself play on TV." McIlroy emphasized the importance of retaining personal memories over television visuals. He also reiterated this sentiment after winning The Masters in 2025, expressing a desire to remember his significant victories through personal experience rather than external footage.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•McIlroy won the US Open in 2011, marking a career milestone.
•He has won six majors and completed the career Grand Slam.
•Watching his wins back caused him to alter his memories of the events.
•McIlroy aims to remember his victories through personal experience.
•He repeated his reluctance to watch major wins after his 2025 Masters victory.

Latest Updates

7:30 PMYahoo Sports — Rory McIlroy once explained why watching himself win the 2011 US Open on TV was such a ‘hard lesson’

What they're saying

"
Rory McIlroy has won six majors now, and he is one of only six men to have completed the career Grand Slam. McIlroy’s career really kicked off when he won the US Open at Congressional way back in 2011, just two months after his back-nine meltdown at The Masters.
— Yahoo Sports

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