While there was plenty of debate surrounding how Rory McIlroy would fare after finally winning The Masters in April, few would have ever imagined how the next couple of months would play out for the Northern Irishman.
Rory McIlroy had much of the golfing world in tears after winning The Masters. It was the moment which he had waited at least 11 years for. And there were plenty of times when it appeared highly unlikely that it would ever happen for the 36-year-old.
Some expected McIlroy to need some time to come to terms with the achievement. But most seemed to think that the floodgates would open for McIlroy, particularly with Quail Hollow hosting the PGA Championship the following month.
However, McIlroy took on the US Open this past week like someone who was searching for contentment both on and off the golf course.
Brandel Chamblee reacts to Rory McIlroy’s actions at the US Open
He needed the joint-lowest round of the day to register a top 20 at Oakmont. Meanwhile, he did not speak to the media after his rounds on Thursday and Friday. He then gave an incredibly spiky interview on Saturday.
McIlroy was partially upset about news of his driver failing in testing ahead of the PGA Championship leaking out. However, it is hard to imagine that that issue has caused all of the problems since.
And speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Brandel Chamblee insisted that the golfing world needs to put its arm around McIlroy and give him some leeway.
“I think Rory is the best friend that golf has had over the last decade. He is the best friend golf has had. The most thoughtful person in the media centre,” he said.
“So let’s say you have got a best friend. You’ve known each other for 10 or 15 years and then they start acting a bit weird for a week or two. You would say is everything okay? Do you need some time? I am here for you, let me know if you need anything. You sort out what you need to and get back to me. That’s what I would say.
“And I think that is what golf needs to do. We are too quick to judge. Let’s extend a little bit of a grace and understand that people are human and they are going through things.”
The comment Rory McIlroy made which Brandel Chamblee took exception with
McIlroy’s comments after the third round at the US Open almost overshadowed a lot of what went on on the golf course.
It appeared that McIlroy had decided that was the moment to speak his mind. But some of his comments were clearly misguided, including his suggestion that he felt that he had earned the right to do whatever he wanted.
And it seems that Chamblee did take exception with that comment in particular.
“I don’t know what he is going through exactly. I don’t know what is at the source of this edginess he has displayed but I think you have to give him some space. He would like to have those words back. Nobody earns the right do whatever they want. Eisenhower didn’t earn the right to do whatever he wanted, Churchill didn’t earn the right to do whatever he wanted. He would like to have those comments back,” he said.
“But he has earned the right to get some grace, for sure. I think golf needs to just take a deep breath and go I don’t know what he is going through but let’s not burn that bridge with Rory. He has been too important to golf and I’m certainly willing to take a deep breathe and let him sort things out and come back and start being the Rory that we all know and love.”
No one seems to have emerged from this chapter in McIlroy’s career with much credit. In fairness to the journalists, McIlroy would not have been accused of doing anything wrong when it came to his driver at Quail Hollow. But clearly, the five-time major champion feels that he has still been wronged.
It is surely a situation that he would love to draw a line under before he receives any more criticism, so he can get back to doing what he does best.
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