Rory McIlroy has had what he describes as an average performance at the U.S. Open so far. On Saturday, he held his first press conference after shooting a 4-over 74 in the third round at Oakmont, breaking his silence after skipping media sessions on Thursday and Friday.
When asked if his absence was due to frustration, McIlroy replied, “Not really,” adding that his frustration was more directed at the media than his game. He later clarified that he felt overwhelmed by the whole situation, not just the reporters.
Just a couple of months ago, McIlroy achieved a significant milestone by winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam. However, living up to such an accomplishment has been difficult for him, and he openly discusses the challenge of staying motivated.
Recently, he faced scrutiny after his driver was ruled nonconforming before the PGA Championship. Upset about how that information was shared publicly, he opted to avoid media discussions after his rounds at Quail Hollow.
On the course, McIlroy has shown visible signs of frustration, such as tossing a club on hole 12 and hitting a tee marker later on during his second round. Despite these outbursts, he managed to make the cut after playing well during the final holes.
“It’s funny,” he said. “It’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not.” At times, McIlroy has felt ambivalent about continuing in the tournament.
Regarding his performance, he acknowledged that it has been average but noted that he is hitting the ball well. McIlroy disputed claims that avoiding media interactions is new for him, stating that he’s done it in the past.
As a top player, McIlroy often faces high expectations, and he’s known for being approachable. He has consistently supported the PGA Tour amid challenges from LIV Golf. When asked if he feels he deserves a break, he confidently replied, “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah.”
Looking ahead to the final round, he simply hopes for a quick finish: “Hopefully a round in under 4 1/2 hours and get out of here.”
