Rory McIlroy got off to a really promising start at the US Open, before things seriously took a turn for the worse on his back nine.
McIlroy shot a 41 on Oakmont‘s front nine – his back nine – on day one of the US Open, and ended up carding a round of four-over par 74.
How quickly things have changed for him. The 35-year-old achieved golfing nirvana when he won The Masters in April, and subsequently completed the Grand Slam in the process.
He was on top of the world after that win at Augusta National, and who could blame him? He had just become only the sixth man in the history of the game to have won all four major championships.
However, things quickly went downhill when McIlroy’s driver was deemed to be non-conforming just before the start of the PGA Championship.
The man from Holywood, Northern Ireland, opened up on why he was so peeved in the aftermath of that situation.
McIlroy explained he was angry because his name got leaked to the press, while names of other players whose drivers failed testing were kept confidential.
The Masters champion has never really got back to his old self since the PGA Championship, and he was in an agitated mood once again during his press conference ahead of the US Open.
He is just making things unnecessarily difficult for himself right now, what with some of his bizarre responses to innocuous questions from journalists.
At least he spoke to the press before the event began – something he chose not to do after his opening round.
However, the prerogative he has to act like that must now be taken out of his hands.
Rory McIlroy lets down golf fans again at the US Open
After McIlroy’s opening round of 74 at Oakmont, the world’s press and, of course, his fans waited to hear from the man himself.
However, they were all kept waiting…and waiting…and waiting, until the point when it became clear that the 35-year-old had ducked out of media duties yet again.
Firstly, it’s worth pointing out that golf is an incredibly frustrating game. It’s totally understandable that McIlroy would have been angry after his round on Thursday.
Still though, more is expected of the world number two.
Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler spoke to the press after their disappointing rounds on Thursday, as they do every single day during the tournaments they play in.
Golf’s governing bodies have to make a big change to the way that they operate.
The PGA Tour, the USGA, the R&A and the PGA of America all need to get together and implement a new rule whereby it is mandatory for players to talk to the press after their rounds.
It happens in other sports, so why not golf? The players are paid enough money, and that in itself means they simply have to be obligated to speak to reporters after their rounds.
However, it’s more about giving the fans what they want.
The PGA Tour and all other golfing entities are nothing without the fans, and if the best players in the world continue to duck out of media duties, they will be in danger of damaging their product.
McIlroy seems to be not only letting himself down at the moment, but the PGA Tour and his loyal fans as well.
What Paul McGinley said about McIlroy’s media no-show
The golf analyst was speaking on Live from the US Open on Thursday night.
And he made it very clear that something needs to change following a succession of no-shows from McIlroy in the media centre.
McGinley explained, “I think the mistake lies not so much with Rory or Morikawa or anyone else who doesn’t [talk to the media]. The mistake lies with golf and why isn’t golf mandating these guys to [talk]. They’re playing for ridiculously high price points [every week]. They’ve got to give a little bit back. And good, bad or indifferent, it needs to be mandated … that they [talk] for the good of the game and the good of the tournament.“
McGinley is absolutely spot on there.
McIlroy owes it to his fans, the tournament hosts, organizers and sponsors to speak after his rounds.
Win or lose, the Northern Irishman has to start speaking more to the press.
Rory McIlroy let his fans down once again at the US Open on Thursday, and he seems to be making things really difficult for himself right now.
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