Rory McIlroy changed his phone number after US Open, missed Tiger’s message

In a twist following his heartbreaking finish to the 2024 U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy revealed during a press conference at the 152nd Open that he missed a supportive message from Tiger Woods.

The mishap occurred because McIlroy changed his phone number just two days after the tournament, inadvertently cutting off communication from his longtime idol and friend.

“Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the U.S. Open, so I didn’t get it until he told me about it today,” McIlroy admitted.

“I was like, ‘Oh, thanks very much.’ So I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing.”

Despite the mix-up, McIlroy expressed deep appreciation for Woods’ gesture, highlighting the strong bond they’ve shared since McIlroy was a teenager.

“Tiger has been nothing but incredible to me over the course of my career, in the good moments and the bad,” he said.

“‘I met Tiger when I was 15 years old, and I’ve built up a great relationship with him, his whole family. He really enjoys spending time with my mom and dad as well.”

McIlroy admitted that a change of phone number isn’t something he does regularly but it came about after receiving an overwhelming number of messages from the media in the wake of the US Open.

“Honestly, from the time I left Pinehurst to the time I walked through my front door on Sunday night, I probably got about 10 or 15 text messages from media members, and I was like, it’s probably time to get a new number. Create a bit of space,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy will begin his first round of the 2024 Open Championship alongside Tyrell Hatton and Max Homa at 10:09am (4:09pm AEST) at Royal Troon on Thursday.

Australian golf fans can watch the British Open on FoxSports and Kayo, click here for details.