Rory McIlroy was in a reflective mood after his final round at the US Open and opened up about his personal life while explaining his controversial media snub to the press
Erica Stoll and Rory McIlroy will soon be moving back to England(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has opened up about his efforts to juggle the demands of being one of the world’s top golfers with being a husband and a father.
After enduring a dismal week at Oakmont Country Club, McIlroy ended the US Open on a high note with a stunning three-under-par 67 on Sunday. It was a much-needed bounce back for the 36-year-old Northern Irishman, who was visibly frustrated a day prior.
Having already ignored reporters at the PGA Championship in May, McIlroy followed up his opening two rounds at Oakmont by once more skipping media duties. He finally faced the press after round three of the US Open and didn’t hold back.
When asked about his reasons for snubbing the media, McIlroy said: “It’s more a frustration with you guys… I’m just, yeah, I don’t know. I have [conducted interviews], 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. I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah.”
The following day saw a more relaxed McIlroy acknowledge the media both before and after his round. And McIlroy took time to explain the two different sides to his life, on and off the golf course, which impacts his emotions.
After carding a tournament-best 67, McIlroy said: “It’s always nice to get home. I feel like I live two different lives. I’m a dad and a husband when I’m away from here, and then I’m who I am when I’m here. It’s always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality.”
Despite some doubts over his involvement, the world No. 2 has confirmed his participation in the upcoming Travelers Championship next week, before he makes his return to Europe.
McIlroy married Erica Stoll in 2017, with the couple welcoming their first child, daughter Poppy, on August 31, 2020. They will be settling down in their new Wentworth home before he competes in the Scottish Open and The Open Championship next month, the latter marking a homecoming at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
McIlroy was in a much better mood on day four(Image: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
The Holywood star said: “I’m looking forward to just getting back to Europe in general. Obviously, I’ve got one more week over here. Play Hartford next week. Yeah, we’ve got a lot to look forward to, got our new house in London, play the Scottish and then obviously The Open at Portrush.”
The trip to Royal Portrush will be special for McIlroy and it is one he is looking forward to as he chases his second major title of the campaign: “I feel like playing an Open at Portrush already, and sort of at least remembering what those feelings were like.
“And those feelings that I was probably unprepared for at the time. Yeah, and obviously it will be my first time sort of in public back home after winning the Masters. It should be a really nice week.”
He continued: “I didn’t realise how emotional I was going to be at Portrush. I think that was a thing I was unprepared for more than anything else. I remember I hit a shot into 12 or 13 Friday night, obviously trying to make the cut.
“I remember the roar I got when the ball hit the green, and I felt like I was about to burst into tears. Just that support and that love from your own people. So I was unprepared for that. I need to just get myself in the right frame of mind to feel those feelings again.”
