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Rory McIlroy has enjoyed a very successful career in professional golf, winning four major championship titles. However, the fact that he has gone 10 years without winning a major, despite coming close on many occasions, might lead some to believe that he is the subject of a "curse."
The topic came up during Martin Slumbers' pre-Open Championship press conference. A reporter pointed out to the R&A chief executive that Rory McIlroy had failed to win a major during his tenure, despite winning two in a row immediately before.
The reporter then asked Slumbers if he had "put a curse" on McIlroy and if the Northern Irishman would win again following his departure. Slumbers responded with a smile:
"As a very proud European, if that's what it takes for him to win, I'm fine."
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Martin Slumbers began his tenure as CEO of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2015. The main outcomes of his tenure have been to strengthen the organizational aspect of the R&A and efforts to increase the presence of women in golf.
Slumbers announced in early 2024 that he would step down at the end of the current season. According to Slumbers himself, his departure will take place after the AIG Women's Open in August.
A look at Rory McIlroy's career in major championships
Rory McIlroy made his major championship debut in 2007 at The Open Championship, where he won the low amateur prize. In 2009, he qualified for all four majors of the season and has since missed only one edition of tournaments at this level, the 2015 British Open, due to injury.
McIlroy won his first major title in 2011 (US Open). One year later, he won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. In 2014, he won The Open and the PGA Championship back-to-back. He had also registered six other top-10 finishes up to that point.
McIlroy's drought in major championships began in 2015. The Northern Irishman has failed to win another tournament at this level, despite his extraordinary performances.
Over the last ten years, McIlroy has played in 37 editions of major championships. He has made the cut 30 times and finished in the top-10 on 21 occasions.
He has tied for second place four times and finished just one stroke behind champions Wyndham Clark and Bryson DeChambeau at the 2023 and 2024 editions of the U.S. Open.
McIlroy finished two shots behind Francesco Molinari at the 2018 Open Championship, and three shots behind Scottie Scheffler at the 2022 Masters.
Over the same period, Rory McIlroy has won 22 tournaments, 17 on the PGA Tour and five on the DP World Tour.
