Rory McIlroy spotted at US Open hours after disappointing end to PGA season

Rory McIlroy traded the fairways for the hard courts.

Less than three hours after wrapping up at the Tour Championship in Georgia to conclude the PGA season, the Irishman was spotted among tennis fans at the U.S. Open on Sunday night.

The five-time major winner was taking in the Arthur Ashe atmosphere with two friends, including caddie Harry Diamond, clapping and smiling occasionally as Novak Djokovic won his first-round match in straight sets over American Learner Tien.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner kicked off the tournament’s first night session at 7 p.m., which was a quick turnaround for the defending Masters winner after he only teed off in the final round at 12 p.m. alongside Harry Hall.

McIlroy, 36, went into the Tour Championship ranked second in the FedEx Cup rankings, which put him only behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

However, it was a disappointing end to the season as he tied for 23rd in the 30-man field while his Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood claimed the title for his first PGA Tour victory.

McIlroy was 1-over par across the two weekend rounds after being in contention following a strong start.

“I hit it better. The things that I wanted to improve on this week, I did,” McIlroy said after the final round, per Golf Digest. “Off the tee was much better. I’m probably leading strokes gained off the tee. I just couldn’t get the speed of the greens all week, and I struggled to see lines and to feel the speed. That was really the story of the week.”

“My putting was so good last week at [the BMW Championship at Caves Valley], and then my off the tee play wasn’t good and it sort of just inverted. But my game feels close. It certainly isn’t far away.”

McIlroy is set to compete in the upcoming weeks back at home in the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour.

He’ll then return to New York for the Ryder Cup as he’ll lead the European team against the US in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage starting Sept. 26.