Rory McIlroy slammed for his ‘horrendous’ behaviour at the US Open, ‘it did not sit well with me’

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It feels like Rory McIlroy has done a grand old job of bringing some negativity onto himself in recent weeks and after a questionable week at the US Open, the Masters winner has been slammed once again.

McIlroy made yet another 67 at the US Open to finish strongly after a torrid opening three days at Oakmont had left him with no chance of winning.

Once again, though, it was McIlroy’s off-course behaviour that was the main talking point of his week.

The Northern Irishman once again skipped media for two successive days before finally speaking on Saturday and having a dig back at members of the press.

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McIroy drew further criticism for suggesting he didn’t care about making the cut and all in all, it was another weekend where the negatives outweighed the positives for him.

And now, he’s been criticised further, with a worrying comparison to Tiger Woods brought up.

Rory McIlroy criticised and told why he’s not in the same league as Tiger Woods

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Rory McIlroy at the moment. Whether you love him or hate him, there is a common ground for debate right now given how he’s behaving and playing.

Indeed, over on the popular Rick Shiels Golf Show podcast, co-host Guy Charnock has had his say on McIlroy.

And it’s safe to say he’s not impressed with a player he has idolised for years.

“I have always been a huge Rory fan, I was very lucky to meet him in 2013 and play a few holes of golf with him through a thing at Nike. Obviously have followed his career very closely ever since, I have always rooted for him, I was made up that he won the career Grand Slam at Augusta. To see him on the Friday smashing the tee marker up with his driver I thought was horrendous,” Charnock said.

Asked specifically about the comments McIlroy has been making, Charnock offered up an interesting take.

“I had two thoughts on that which were very polarising. He is human, he has just won the career Grand Slam. It puts him in that Mount Rushmore of golfing greats. Fair dos,” he added.

“The other side of my brain, which is a bit more pessimistic – which maybe isn’t the right word – but a bit more cruel. Is thinking that is not the mindset of a true champion. Someone like Tiger Woods who is an absolute winner, a Serena Williams or a Novak Djokovic or a Michael Jordan, whoever you want to pick at.

“They don’t win something and go okay. They go I want more, I want more. I will not sleep until I win more.”

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Rory McIlroy told Adam Scott would never do what he did at Oakmont

Clearly, the biggest problem McIlroy had all week was when he smashed a tee box marker on day three.

This was an act of petulance and preceded his rant at the press afterwards.

Indeed, continuing his criticism of McIlroy, Charnock suggested it was something you’d not see other players do.

“These guys are not robots, they are very well media trained but they are real people with real emotions. It must be very hard in that competitive spotlight. But it’s one thing – I should never condone this – but throwing your own golf club or snapping your own golf club or smacking it into the ground. It feels like it’s wrong but okay fair enough,” Charnock continued.

“But for some reason when I watched that and saw him make that clearly on purpose act of smashing his driver into a tee marker. Someone else’s property essentially and smashed it to smithereens. It did not sit well with me. I know it sounds quite harsh and critical but I did lose a little bit of respect for him. Imagine Adam Scott doing that. He would not.

“We have this argument about are golfers and these top level sports people role models to children. You could argue yes or no, your parents of families should be your role models. But equally there might be juniors who watch that who then think when I next hit a bad shot I might do that. If Rory does that I will smack a tee marker or a bin. It just wasn’t a good act.

“I hope Rory does come back and do well but I am kind of holding this against him now. I kind of feel like I don’t actually want you to win The Open at Portrush now. I did before, I thought I would have loved to see Rory win the Claret Jug in the isle or Ireland and that would do for his career, but now I feel like you are a spoilt brat. Our relationship is over Rory!”

There was an element of laughter and tongue-in-cheek from Charnock with that last comment.

But in the main, it is clear to see that McIlroy’s behaviour has had a direct effect on those who have followed and loved him for years.

He may not care. But for someone who has always been adored, this current look McIlroy is offering up is just not good at all.