Rory McIlroy is determined to finish the remainder of the season on a high after admitting he never found his rhythm during a disappointing Open Championship campaign.
The Northern Irishman arrived as one of the leading contenders for the Claret Jug, having already claimed Masters glory earlier this year, but he was unable to mount a genuine title challenge over the four days.
An opening-round 72 immediately left him playing catch-up before rounds of 67 and 69 briefly moved him closer to the leaders.
However, he started the final round at Royal Birkdale eight shots off the pace and closed with a one-over-par 71 to end another major without seriously threatening the winner.
McIlroy admits he never found momentum
Reflecting on his week, McIlroy felt he was unable to build any sustained momentum around Royal Birkdale.
"I was sort of stuck in neutral for most of the week," he said.
"Obviously shot a good one on Friday to get myself in for the weekend and back in it, but even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.
"I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. Just one of those weeks I couldn't get it going."
David Rumsey@_DavidRumseyHe hasn't confirmed what will happen if he only plays 14 PGA Tour events this season, one below the 15-event minimum.
McIlroy's focus shifts to the rest of the season
McIlroy's Masters triumph in April remains the standout moment of his campaign, but his form has dipped since securing the Green Jacket.
In six worldwide starts following that victory, he has not finished better than tied seventh. He shared seventh place at the PGA Championship before struggling to contend at the US Open, and his latest performance at The Open extended that frustrating run.
With the year's final major now complete, the world No. 2 will turn his attention to the closing stretch of both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour seasons, where he will be aiming to rediscover the form that made him one of the game's dominant players earlier in the year.
