Rex Hoggard takes issue with one of Rory McIlroy’s comments at the US Open which sounded a lot like Collin Morikawa

Add as preferred source on Google

Rory McIlroy endured an ultimately frustrating US Open at Oakmont, where the five-time major champion finished T19.

McIlroy posted a record-breaking final round at the US Open, with his three-under 67 helping him rise 30 places in the leaderboard.

But that arrived after McIlroy only just made the cut at Oakmont, having carded rounds of 74 and 72 before another 74.

Once again, however, it was his dealings with the media that attracted a lot of attention, with the PGA Tour star avoiding such duties after his first two rounds.

He did the same after all four rounds of the PGA Championship last month, with McIlroy blaming media members for his media absence after finally speaking on day three of the US Open.

Rex Hoggard takes issue with Rory McIlroy comment at the US Open

Moreover, McIlroy was disappointed by how his failed driver test was handled at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

The entire situation has now been discussed by Rex Hoggard, who said on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav: “I have been really clear about this. He has no obligation to the media.

“Collin Morikawa had no obligation to the media. This isn’t about what we feel like we are owed as media members because we are not owed anything.

READ MORE: How Rory McIlroy behaved with the media after his final round of the US Open following previous snubs

“However, I would argue this tournament and the sponsors and the fans are owed something. We are the conduit to that. Whether Rory McIlroy or any of the other players like it or not.

“We are the ones telling the story, we are the ones trying to get some sort of insight on what J.J. Spaun was thinking coming down the stretch.

“When Rory is like this, where I think the comment which threw everything over the top, was essentially that he is allowed to do whatever he wants to do. I’m paraphrasing but that is essentially what he said.

“That felt a lot like Collin Morikawa following Bay Hill, where the words that were coming out of his mouth were not incorrect but there was probably a bit more attitude coming from them than what you needed.

“There was probably a little bit more tone to them than what you needed. You could have said it in a much softer way.

“I continue to struggle this is all about the story that his driver at the PGA Championship which was deemed non-conforming and the way that story was broken.

“He seems to have a problem with that but I continue to struggle with the idea that he is that sideways with this particular story, and I point to constantly that Scottie Scheffler’s driver was also deemed non-conforming that same week and when he was asked about it following his victory, his explanation just shut everyone down.

“He was clear it happens all the time, we have been using that driver for a year, we anticipated it was going to happen and we had a backup in place.

“Nobody had a follow-up question to that and if Rory had just handled it the same way it would not have ended up this way.

“I think he is disappointed the way the story was handled. I think it’s disappointing the way he did not address the issue when it happened.”

Rory McIlroy takes step backwards after winning The Masters at Augusta National

It will never be known how differently the entire situation would have unfolded had McIlroy’s non-conforming driver saga been smoother.

But The Masters champion clearly isn’t a fan of speaking to the media at this moment in time, which he is, of course, entitled to.

READ MORE: Collin Morikawa launches scathing rant at golf analysts after round two of The Players, ‘I don’t owe anyone’

The media and fans alike would love to hear from such a talent as much as possible, but that unfortunately hasn’t been the case in recent times.

And that seems remarkable given what he achieved earlier this year, with McIlroy certain to have been on cloud nine after completing the career grand slam at The Masters.

He has seemingly taken a step back since that unforgettable moment, both on and off the course, with results not going his way either.

Importantly, however, he hasn’t been the only player to avoid the media, with Morikawa dishing out similar treatment after narrowly missing out on the Arnold Palmer Invitational title.

US Open defending champion Bryson DeChambeau didn’t speak to the media after missing the cut at Oakmont, which was uncharacteristic for the LIV Golf icon.

Shane Lowry is another to have turned down an interview this season, in what is a situation that must surely be dealt with sooner rather than later.