Rory McIlroy Reflects on His U.S. Open Performance: A "Pretty Average" Showing
Rory McIlroy recently shared his thoughts on a less-than-stellar performance at the U.S. Open, acknowledging that his tie for 49th place after shooting 10-over par at Oakmont was "pretty average." While this outcome may not be particularly remarkable, McIlroy’s decision to speak publicly about it raised eyebrows, especially given his recent trend of avoiding media interactions.
The Irish golf star, who famously clinched the U.S. Open title in 2011, participated in his first post-round media session on Saturday after carding a 4-over 74 in the third round. This was a notable shift, as he had opted not to address reporters following his rounds on Thursday and Friday.
When asked about his media silence, McIlroy clarified, "Not really," indicating that his frustration was not aimed at the game itself but rather at the media. "It’s more a frustration with you guys," he added, though he later suggested that his comments were more about the situation as a whole.
Having recently achieved a career Grand Slam by winning the coveted green jacket at Augusta National Golf Club, McIlroy has expressed the challenges of maintaining motivation following such a significant triumph. His driver was deemed nonconforming before the PGA Championship, which added to his frustration, leading him to skip media engagements after each round at Quail Hollow.
During the U.S. Open, McIlroy showed his feelings without words. He had a couple of notable outbursts, including throwing a club on the 12th hole during Friday’s second round and smashing a tee marker shortly after. These actions occurred as he grappled with making the cut for the weekend.
"It’s funny. It’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not," McIlroy remarked, reflecting on his mindset during the tournament, adding, "I was sort of thinking, ‘Do I really want two more days here or not?’"
Despite some speculation about his media avoidance, McIlroy pointed out that this isn’t a new behavior for him. "At Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday," he reminded reporters, indicating that while he may be doing it more frequently, it’s not an entirely new trend.
There are numerous factors that could be weighing on McIlroy, including his performance, the driver controversy, or perhaps the pressure that comes with being a leading figure in the sport. Known for his approachability, McIlroy has also consistently supported the PGA Tour amidst the emergence of LIV Golf.
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