McIlroy was on course for his first major in 10 years at Pinehurst last month but blew a two-shot lead with five holes to play, handing victory to Bryson DeChambeau.
Many questions have been asked about McIlroy's resolve, and people also wonder if he will ever win another major again.
McIlroy admits the loss has been hard on him but also claims that, as the weeks have passed, he has since seen the positive side of the defeat.
"It was a tough day; it was a tough few days after that, but as you get further away from it happening, you start to see the positives and all the good things you did throughout the week.
"There’s learning in there too. I can vividly remember starting to feel a little uncomfortable waiting for my second putt on 16, and the putt on the last was a really tricky putt, and I was very aware of where Bryson was off the tee.
"I knew I had to hit it really soft. If the one back didn’t matter, I would have hit it firmer. Knowing that Bryson had hit it left off the tee, I just sort of wanted to make sure that if there was still a chance at a playoff, that it was at least going to be that."
McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, has also come under fire, with some in the game suggesting that McIlroy part with his long-time friend and hire a more experienced caddie.
The golfer believes the slack that Diamond has gotten has been unfair and fired back at the critics.
"It’s certainly unfair," the Northern Irishman said. "Hank Haney has never been in that position. Smylie has been in that position once.
"Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything or that he doesn’t do anything.
"I just wish that these guys who criticise when things don’t go my way would never say anything good when things do go my way.
"Someone once said to me that if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms either. I certainly wouldn’t go to Hank Haney for advice. I love Smylie, but I think I know what I’m doing, and so does Harry."
