Why Rory Mcllroy will take a break after Zurich Classic finish

Rory McIlroy has spoken about his decision to take a week off after he and Shane Lowry finished tied for 12th at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Sunday.

The pair started the final day five shots behind leaders Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin, who went on to win the tournament.

However, McIlroy and Lowry found it tough on the last day and ended up six shots behind the American winners, settling for 12th place.

It was McIlroy’s first event since his victory at the Masters at Augusta on 13 April.

Both McIlroy, 35, and Lowry, 38, have decided to skip this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson. They are expected to return for the Truist Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Speaking about the tournament in New Orleans, McIlroy said:
“Yeah, it’s been a fun week.

“I think when we went back out after the weather delay, we felt like we still had a good chance. But we didn’t make birdie on the 11th hole, and then we bogeyed the 13th for the second time this week.

“We just couldn’t build any momentum once we restarted, and it was difficult to get anything going.”