Rory McIlroy on snubbing the media: ‘I’ve earned the right’
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Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy on the green of the eighth hole, during the third round of the US Open, on June 14.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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OAKMONT, Pennsylvania – Rory McIlroy, who has come under fire for avoiding the media after six consecutive Major championship rounds, ended that silent run on June 14 at the US Open where he said he felt he earned the right to do as he pleases.
PGA Tour players are not obligated to speak to the media after their rounds but for someone like world No. 2 McIlroy, who has been the de facto spokesman of the circuit in recent years, it has come to be expected.
Following a four-over 74 that left him well out of contention at Oakmont Country Club, the Ulsterman spoke to reporters and was asked if his drop in form since winning the Masters was why he decided to avoid the media outside of pre-tournament availabilities.
“No, not really. It’s more a frustration with you guys,” he said before being asked to elaborate.
“I’m just, yeah, I don’t know. I have, I’ve been totally available for the last few years, and I’m not saying – maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.”
McIlroy’s silent stretch at the Majors began at the May 15-18 PGA Championship where he declined to speak to the media after a poor first round, and held firm after news of his driver failing a conformance test leaked during the second round.
He said the leaked news was part of his decision to go silent but also reminded the assembled media that he walked by them without taking questions after his opening round of the April 11-14 Masters.
“It’s not as if – it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before; I’m just doing it a little more often,” said McIlroy, who won the 2011 US Open for his first Major title. “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah.”
The 36-year-old knows the rules do not permit him to talk to the media after he walks off the course and it was suggested that he was almost daring the PGA Tour to alter its rules on the matter.
“No, I’m not daring them to do anything. I hope they don’t change it because... it’s a nice luxury to have,” he said. “But I’m just pointing out the fact that we have the ability to do it.”
The five-time Major champion, who like many top players struggled mightily at a treacherous Oakmont layout where some rounds have been well above five hours long, rallied to make the cut on June 13 with little to lose.
“Yeah, it’s funny, like it’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not,” he said.
“I was sort of thinking, do I really want two more days here or not. So it makes it easier to play better when you’re in that mindset.”
Meanwhile, Sam Burns moved closer to a Major breakthrough as he held a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott and American compatriot J.J. Spaun after the third round.
Burns and Spaun took turns trading or sharing the lead for much of the day but it was the former who finished in front with a one-under 69 that brought him to four-under 206 on the week at the Major that is considered golf’s toughest test. REUTERS, AFP
