Rory McIlroy’s dismal 2025 US Open continued today when he shot a four over par round of 74 on Saturday. He’s in a tie for 50th place after making the cut with a birdie on the 18th hole in Friday’s round.
After the round he did something he hadn’t done in six rounds at a Major – McIlroy chatted to the media. There’s been a clear tension between McIlroy and golf’s press pack in the months following the Masters win, with McIlroy especially peeved about the leaking of info around his failed driver.
McIlroy did not seem to enjoy taking questions, but he did shed light on his ever-worsening relationship with the media.
McIlroy’s comments today confirmed something that’s seemed obvious in recent weeks: McIlroy seems tired of the media game on the whole, and now that he’s won the Masters, he seems to feel that he doesn’t have to bother to the same extent.
We’ve reproduced the transcript of his conversation today with reporters about his media beef. One line stands out in particular. “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah.”
You can read the transcript below.
Q. You’re so transparent for us and very available. Yesterday was six major rounds in a row you’ve stepped away. Has that been part and parcel to the frustration on the golf course? What do you attribute it to?
RORY McILROY: No, not really. It’s more a frustration with you guys.
Q. In what way?
RORY McILROY: 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.
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Q. Did it stem from the whole driver thing?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, part of — I mean, that was a part of it. Yeah, that was a part of it. But it’s not as if — like at Augusta I skipped you guys on Thursday, so yeah, again, it’s not if as if — it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before; I’m just doing it a little more often.
Q. Is it part of the, you kind of carried the Tour, in your words, for three, four years now. Do you feel like you’ve earned the right?
RORY McILROY: I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah.
Q. You have, in relation to that, almost addressed the fact that the Tour does not require that kind of thing. It’s almost like you’re daring them to do so in some way. Is that, you know, in terms of a requirement of the players?
RORY McILROY: No, I’m not daring them to do anything. I hope they don’t change it because it would, you know — this is, it’s a nice luxury to have. But I’m just pointing out the fact that we have the ability to do it.
Q. What do you look for tomorrow?
RORY McILROY: Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here.
You can watch the video of the interview here.
One line stands out from Rory McIlroy’s intriguing and tense media debrief after his third round at Oakmont.
“I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want.”pic.twitter.com/tGPQQ18CP2
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 14, 2025
McIlroy’s Masters win was iconic and many wondered how the career Grand Slam would change the Co. Down golfer. The prevailing narrative was that the win would liberate McIlroy and he would become unstoppable.
However it seems like the inverse is true. McIlroy has now achieved everything he wanted in the sport. His drive for excellence seems to have stalled and his behaviour towards the media is becoming insufferable. Harsh words, and totally unexpected ones after the heroics of Augusta just eight weeks ago.
Portrush will be interesting.
