Rory McIlroy’s latest comments should set alarm bells ringing ahead of the US Open as he continues to defy expectations

Add as preferred source on Google

With the US Open set to get underway shortly, any Rory McIlroy fans will have a number of concerns about the world number two right now and he’s simply not helping himself in terms of optics either.

McIlroy came under fire for missing The Memorial recently and after skipping media duties for the entirety of the PGA Championship, it’s been a rough few weeks for McIlroy’s reputation.

Coming into the US Open at Oakmont, many expected to listen to a fired up McIlroy and a player intent on building on his grand slam win in April.

• READ MORE: Smylie Kaufman suggests he finds something he’s seen about Rory McIlroy ‘alarming’ just before the US Open starts

However, as of right now, it feels like we’re looking at a Rory McIlroy who effectively seems a bit beaten.

And in what is proving to be one of the most surprising aspects of the year in golf, McIlroy’s recent round of comments are yet another big worry.

Rory McIlroy’s comments at the US Open are part of a worrying trend

After McIlroy won The Masters, the narrative around him was that he’d go on to win even more majors and if anything, the pressure being off his shoulders would lead to a period of dominance we’ve not seen for years.

However, it’s become increasingly apparent that we could be looking at the opposite.

Speaking at the US Open ahead of his quest to win around Oakmont, McIlroy once again suggested some of his focus had been away from golf and alongside that, his attitude in response to certain questions seemed blasé at best.

Asked about what he’d been up to since his Masters win, McIlroy conceded he’d been intentionally keeping out of the spotlight.

“Yeah, basically saying no to every request that comes in, trying to get home as much as possible, and trying to do the things that I enjoy. That was one of my goals for this year was to have more fun, and that’s what I’m trying to do,” he admitted.

“I’m trying to have more fun. We’re trying to take more trips. We’re trying to — yeah, just trying to do things that I enjoy and get back to having hobbies and filling my time with the things that I want to do. I think that’s been a big — but that hasn’t just been post-Augusta. I’ve been trying to do that for a while.

“I’ve started to play a lot of tennis again. Like Harry and Niall play tennis pretty much every week when we’re on the road, and I’ve always been like, I don’t want to injure myself, whatever, but I miss not playing. So Harry and I played quite a bit of tennis last weekend, so that was good fun.

“Again, just, like, traveling and seeing the world and giving Poppy that opportunity to see the world at such a young age I think is a wonderful opportunity for her. Just that sort of stuff.”

• READ MORE: Xander Schauffele suggests what Bryson DeChambeau could do on the 10th hole at Oakmont which nobody else will consider

Is Rory McIlroy losing motivation after achieving his career goal?

While McIlroy’s determination to spend more time with his family and enjoy different aspects of his life is admirable and in a way, completely understandable, we’re also looking at a player who should be in the prime of his golfing career.

At 36, McIlroy should be entering a period of time in his career where he simply adds to what is already a wonderful legacy in the game.

However, instead of seeing a man motivated to get to double figures in majors and truly cement himself in the golf hall of fame, we’re looking at a player who seems to have switched focus.

McIlroy has, historically, been at his best when he’s fully focused and playing with intensity. Clearly at the moment, that’s not how he’s approaching things.

Indeed, since winning The Masters, McIlroy has just one top ten to his name, while he missed the cut at the Canadian Open and could only muster a 47th at the PGA Championship.

At a time when the PGA Tour is looking for its next big stars, the fact that one of their top stars currently seems to be focusing his mind elsewhere, is a concern all around.

Of course, McIlroy could surprise us all and turn up at Oakmont and win. He is, after all, one of the best golfers in the modern game.

But based on recent performances, his actions, demeanour, and these recent comments, McIlroy looks further away from winning another major than he ever has.