Rory McIlroy broke his media silence at the U.S. Open on Saturday, but made it clear his frustration with the press hasn’t subsided.
The four-time major champion spoke with reporters following his third-round 74 at Oakmont – his first post-round interview at a major since winning the Masters in April to complete the career Grand Slam. While he participated in pre-tournament press conferences at both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, he’d declined all post-round media requests at Quail Hollow and through the first two rounds at Oakmont.
When asked if Oakmont’s notorious difficulty contributed to his frustration, McIlroy was direct: “No, not really. It’s more a frustration with you guys [the media]. I’ve been totally available for the last few years, maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.”
McIlroy’s tension with the media appears to have intensified at the PGA Championship after SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio reported his driver had been deemed nonconforming following a characteristic time (CT) test before the tournament.
“Yeah, that was a part of it,” he acknowledged Saturday while sitting tied for 53rd. “But it’s not as if, like at Augusta I skipped you guys on Thursday, again, it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before; I’m just doing it a little more often.”
He also added firmly: “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do.”
The Northern Irishman has pointed out that the PGA Tour, which doesn’t run the U.S. Open or PGA Championship, has no policy requiring players to speak with media. Some have speculated his increasing reluctance might be making a statement.
“I’m not daring them [PGA Tour] to do anything,” McIlroy clarified. “I hope they don’t change it because it’s a nice luxury to have. But I’m just pointing out the fact that we have the ability to do it.”
Despite needing to play his final four holes Friday in 2 under par just to make the cut, McIlroy said he was encouraged by his driving performance. But when asked about his plan for Sunday’s final round, his response was telling: “Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here.”
