Beyond a choke

Worst thing about Rory's US Open collapse is it proves he's not the golfing icon we all hoped he was

- JEREMY CROSS

THE inquest into Rory McIlroy's catastrophic capitulation will no doubt include his decision to play musical chairs with his marriage.

But let's not kid ourselves. McIlroy might not have done his chances of winning the US Open any favours by making public the saga of his on-off relationship with wife Erica Stoll.

But this isn't the reason he let the trophy slip through his fingers at Pinehurst.

The bottom line is the Northern Irishman choked. Before his final round, McIlroy had sunk 496 from 496 putts inside three feet.

Then he went and missed two tiddlers in the final three holes. He failed to hold his nerve when it mattered most while someone else did.

He failed to seize the moment despite having the tournament at his mercy.

And most painfully of all he proved once again that perhaps he isn't quite as good as he and most of the golfing world once thought he was.