Ten years after his previous major win at the 2014 Open, McIlroy looked set to end the decade long drought as he stood on the 14th tee two shots ahead of Bryson DeChambeau.
But, as the American masterfully navigated the final holes, McIlroy struggled with back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes.
Another bogey for the 35-year-old on the final hole from less than four feet away, all but sealed his fate.
Minutes later, McIlroy watched in despair as DeChambeau snatched victory with a par on the hole 18, holding his lead at six shots under.
Just minutes later, the Northern Irishman controversially left the venue, declining to speak to media and failing to congratulate his competitor.
But now, McIlroy has finally broken his silence.
Writing in a statement on X, he said: “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer.
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional gold needs right now.
“As I reflect on my week, I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day.
“I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have.
Rory McIlroy calls out Roy Keane over infamous snub
“The one word that I would describe my career as is resilient. I’ve shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.”
The Northern Irishman also confirmed that he would be taking a few weeks away from the sport before returning on July 13 for the Genesis Scottish Open, which he won last year.
McIlroy’s next opportunity at a major will come less than a week later, as the 152nd Open Championship tees off at the Royal Troon at St Andrews.
The Northern Irishman, who hadn’t won a major since 2014, headed into the fourth and final day at Pinehurst three shots behind overall leader DeChambeau.
After going at level par during his first eight holes, McIlroy then hit four birdies in five holes to take a two-shot lead over DeChambeau.
But just as the 35-year-old looked set to end that gruelling 10-year major drought, he could only score a bogey on the 15th which brought his rival back into the contest.
After dropping another shot on the 16th, McIlroy and DeChambeau were level at six-under-par as they approached the final hole.
McIlroy – whose missed putt on 15 was his first miss out of 497 attempts from three feet this season – was presented with another putt from the same distance for par.
That meant he had to watch from the clubhouse as the American completed the 18th.
And despite firing his tee shot well off course, and then going into the bunker with his second shot, DeChambeau set up the perfect approach with his third before putting in to secure his second US Open title.
The TV cameras focused on McIlroy throughout those final shots and, after a moment of self-reflection, captured the Northern Irishman quickly leaving the venue.
And a separate video after the action ended showed him driving away from the Pinehurst venue just minutes after DeChambeau’s victory was confirmed – declining media interviews in the process.
After watching the footage, fans had mixed opinions about McIlroy’s actions.
One wrote: “Let’s force this guy who just lost another major in absolutely heartbreaking fashion to answer questions about how much it hurts.”
Another said: “Don’t think it’s that big of a deal and completely understandable to decline the interview. He’s human and emotions are probably too high.”
A third added: “I feel for him. It’s a sport, but it’s harder when you have the media all over you. Just let the man be.”
And another said: “Greg Norman blew a six-shot lead in the ’97 Masters and then sat in the press room and took questions for 30 minutes. This is a terrible, terrible look for golf.”
Prominent figures from inside the world of golf also got involved in the discussion, with Paige Spiranac writing: “Hot take but I don’t care when athletes do this.
“He gave us everything he had on the course and gave us such an entertaining day. I feel for Rory right now and can’t even imagine how he’s feeling. Cut him a break.”
McIlroy, a four time Scottish Open champion, was waiting at the first tee ahead of his 8 am start for the second round on Friday morning.
The Northern Irishman was in conversation with his caddie, ahead of playing his round with Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas at the Renaissance Club.
With McIlroy’s back not even turned to his clubs, a spectator just casually walks up to the golfer’s bag, takes out a club and brazenly starts practicing his swing.
The look on the former world number one’s face says it all!
Unsurprisingly the fan wasn’t allowed to stay for the rest of the day at the course east of Edinburgh, as he was swiftly removed by security.
He handed the club back to caddie Harry Diamond, with Rahm also looking on in confusion, just weeks after winning the US Open.
The fan did attempt to keep the club head that he’d also taken from McIlroy but did eventually return it.
McIlroy hit a -1, 70 on Thursday, six off the top of the leaderboard at the end of round one, but went round in a shot more on Thursday, following the bizarre incident at the start of the round.
Rahm, who is the current number one in the world having won his first major, currently leads the field.
The Spaniard, who will be part of this year’s Ryder Cup team with McIlroy, went round in 65 on Friday, having done it in a shot more in round one.
The Scottish Open doubles up as preparation for The Open next week at Royal St George in Kent.
McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014 and will be desperate to end his wait for a fifth.
Mourinho is set to return to management as Gianluca Di Marzio claims he’ll sign a two-year contract at Fenerbahce.
He is not yet in Turkey, but the paperwork is being finalised on an agreement that will include the option for a further 12 months.
Ahead of an official announcement, Mourinho has issued an update about his career with a cryptic post on Instagram.
On his story, he shared an image of two suitcases, a pair of trainers and a wash bag, accompanied with a raised eyebrow emoji.
Mourinho seems to be hinting at his trip to London, England, as he is set to appear on TNT Sports for Saturday’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
The two-time Champions League-winning manager will be on hand to provide expert analysis, alongside Ro Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Steve McManaman.
The Portuguese won Europe’s elite club competition with Porto in 2004 then with Inter Milan in 2010.
He is set to lead Fenerbahce in the Champions League next season following their second-place finish in the Super Lig this season.
They narrowly missed out on the title, losing out on the championship by three points.
The Fenerbahce job will be Mourinho’s first managerial gig in Turkey, having taken charge of clubs in Portugal, England, Spain and Italy.
The 31-year-old has had a torrid start to the competition, whichhe needs to win to complete a career grand slam.
Winning would also put an end a seven-year majorless and two-year tournament winless run.
McIlroy went round in 76 on his first round, leaving him four over and currently in joint 64th.
If he doesn’t turn his form around it could be difficult to see the Northern Irishman making it past the cut and into the final days.
However, that wasn’t the worst of it for the PGA Tour no. 4, with even his own father unable to escape from his errant shots.
While Gerry McIlroy was walking towards the 7th green to watch his son try to salvage his round after two bogies on the holes before, his son Rory sliced an iron towards his dad, shouting “Fore!”
However, it wasn’t enough of a warning, with the ball striking McIlroy senior on the calf. Luckily the elder McIlroy took it well, joking to reporters afterwards: “I should ask for an autographed glove.”
Elsewhere on the course, Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama, and Brian Harman are in the lead of the competition, all on three under – although while the latter two are in the clubhouse, Brit Rose still has six holes to play through.