Rory McIlroy entered the U.S. Open as the third betting favorite, but ended up barely making the cut before being 11 shots behind the leader when he finished his final round on Sunday.
“That’s the name of the game this week is staying patient, and try to do a good job of it out there, but it’s one of those golf courses that you can lose patience on pretty quickly,” he said when speaking with the media for the first time at the U.S. Open.
“It’s very difficult. You got to be on every single shot. You know if you miss a fairway you’re going to be scrambling for par. You know if you miss your landing spot even coming from the fairways by a couple yards, these greens repel the ball into rough and you’re up against collars and it just makes things very, very tricky. So, yeah, you got to be totally on your game.”
McIlroy made headlines when he opened up about his frustration with the media, but didn't offer much of an explanation.
"It’s more frustration with you guys. When asked in what way, he said, “I don’t know ... I have been totally available for the last few years and I’m not saying… maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.
After declining media after his first two rounds, Rory McIlroy spoke after his third round at the U.S. Open.
— Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) June 14, 2025
Here's the full interview, for those interested. Touches on his "pretty average" play, feeling "a little flat," and thoughts on media obligations. pic.twitter.com/ICgqAYnQON
His comments didn't sit well with Ryder Cup hero and captain Paul McGinley.
“I didn’t enjoy them,” McGinley said. “I don’t like to see that. I think Rory’s better than that. Either not talking to the media or giving a press conference like that doesn’t serve him fairly or rightly for the person that he is.
“He looks fed up to me. He looks like he’s had enough of everything. Whether it was the emotional release of everything that’s gone on in his career, I don’t know, but he’s not himself.”
McGinley suggested something is "eating" at McIlroy given his recent frostiness with the media.
“I don’t like to see it,” he said. “I’m disappointed for Rory that it’s come to that. Something is eating at him. He hasn’t let us know what it is, but there’s something that’s not right.”
McIlroy finished his 2025 U.S. Open at 7-over and sits 10 shots back of the leader, Sam Burns.
Related: Rory McIlroy, Wife Erica Making Big Change After U.S. Open
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