Rory McIlroy’s contentious relationship with the media has permeated another one of golf’s biggest tournaments.
McIlroy, 36, spoke to reporters after his opening round at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, on Thursday, June 19, where he addressed the way he has been written about in recent months.
“I’m not a journalist. I don’t know,” McIlroy said. “Report the birdies and bogeys, I guess.”
McIlroy has been widely criticized recently for failing to speak to the media at tournaments, including often evading them at last weekend’s U.S. Open.
Rory McIlroy Breaks Silence After U.S. Open Controversies, Talks ‘Reset’
“Obviously, you have to — the story lines sort of write themselves for the most part,” McIlroy said. “But yeah, I certainly see the need for it and see the need for the platform. Like, I’ve never argued that.”
He added, “But I just think nowadays there’s so many different ways to consume sports and entertainment. It certainly isn’t the only avenue to get your sports news and information.”
After his final round at the U.S. Open on Sunday, June 15, McIlroy spoke to reporters after dodging them throughout the tournament and acknowledged his life is a bit of a balancing act at the moment.
“I feel like I live two different lives,” he said. “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.’’
McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, share 4-year-old daughter Poppy.
The couple are currently in the process of building a new home in the U.K., planning to split their time between there and Florida.
McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll after seven years of marriage in May 2024 before calling off their split the following month.
The athlete’s recent behavior has drawn criticism from many in the sports world, including journalist Dan Patrick.
‘Pissed Off’ Rory McIlroy Blames ‘Weird Week’ for Snubbing Media
“Did America turn against Rory McIlroy?” Patrick, 69, asked Monday, June 16, on The Dan Patrick Show. “Everybody wanted him to win the career grand slam. He wins at The Masters. And then all of a sudden it’s like, ‘Oh, Rory. Doesn’t want to meet with the media. He’s a baby. Oh, he’s struggling.’ That happened quickly.”
Patrick added, “He’s such a good interview and he cares so much. I wish that he would meet with the media. I know it’s tough to go in there and have somebody filet you because you didn’t play well.”
McIlroy was also criticized by Irish golf legend Paul McGinley, who theorized there’s more to McIlroy’s stubbornness than just lackluster play on the course.
“He looks fed up to me,” McGinley said on June 13, according to GOLF.com. “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. This is not normal.”
