Rory McIlroy finished a third-round 74 at the U.S. Open on June 14 at the Oakmont Country Club that left him at 10-over for the tournament, and then addressed the media for the first time in six major championship rounds, going back to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
He said it was nothing he had against any one member of the media but “more a frustration with you guys.”
“I’ve been totally available for the last few years,” said the Masters and Players champion, who had six bogeys and two birdies in the third round and was tied for 52nd at the time he finished. “Maybe not you guys [the media present for his post-round scrum], but maybe more just the whole thing.”
Rory McIlroy cited driver issue
McIlroy said the leaking of his non-conforming driver at the PGA was one factor in his recent unavailability.
“That was a part of it,” he said. “At Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday … it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before; I’m just doing it a little more often.”
McIlroy was asked if he had earned the right to pick and choose his times with the media since he had been so accommodating for most of his career.
“I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah,” he said.
He also said he wouldn’t want the PGA Tour to change its policy of giving players the option to refuse to talk to the media.
“I hope they don’t change it because it … 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.”
McIlroy is in a slump since Masters victory
McIlroy has posted only one round in the 60s in his last nine, going back to a tie for seventh at the Truist Championship.
He tied for 46th at the PGA and then missed the cut at last week’s RBC Canadian Open with a 36-hole score of 9-over.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: US Open: After another frustrating day at Oakmont, Rory McIlroy unloads to the media
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
