Since completing the career Grand Slam with a historic win at The Masters in April, Rory McIlroy hasn't had a lot of things go his way—at least not as it pertains to golf.
Okay, so he did tie for seventh at the Truist Championship. But the following week at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, where he's earned four victories during his illustrious career, the Northern Irishman couldn't get much going and ultimately tied for 47th.
It was here, of course, where it was leaked that Rory's driver had been deemed nonconforming ahead of the tournament, information which is typically kept private.
After taking several weeks off, a stretch that included skipping his third Signature Event of the season, McIlroy teed it up at the RBC Canadian Open and revealed during his pre-tourney presser that he wasn't thrilled with the leak, which is why he opted not to speak to the media following any of his four rounds at Quail Hollow.
He then went out and missed the cut at TPC Toronto, recording the worst finish of his entire PGA Tour career.
Things haven't gotten much better at this week's U.S. Open. Sure, he made the cut at 6-over (74-72), but he's clearly frustrated with his golf game and lashed out multiple times during Friday's second round, both breaking a tee marker after an errant drive and flinging an iron after a poor approach shot.
Out early on Saturday, McIlroy posted a second 74 for the week, carding six bogeys against just two birdies. But for the first time since The Masters, the five-time major champ opted to speak to the media following his round.
Rory McIlroy just have an emotive press conference explaining why he has been skipping media;
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) June 14, 2025
“It's more a frustration with you guys.”
This is worth a watch.
pic.twitter.com/vyGRsyOpfq
When asked if his frustration was built around the difficulty that Oakmont presents, Rory responded with this:
"No, not really. It’s more a frustration with you guys [the media]. I’ve been totally available for the last few years, maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.”
He admitted to still being a bit upset about the ordeal at the PGA Championship and defended his decision not to talk to the press.
It’s not as if, like at Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday, again, it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before; I’m just doing it a little more often. I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do."
Rory then pointed out that the PGA Tour, which runs none of the four major championships, currently has no policy in place that requires players to talk to the media. And he certainly doesn't want that to change.
"I’m not daring them [PGA Tour] to do anything,” McIlroy said. "I hope they don’t change it because it’s a nice luxury to have. But I’m just pointing out the fact that we have the ability to do it."
Rory stated he's hoping to get his final round in on Sunday in under four and a half hours and then "get out of here." Whether a trip to the media center is on his agenda is anyone's guess at this point.