Rory McIlroy’s media availability has taken on all the intrigue of a papal conclave. In the latter, the world waits anxiously as the College of Cardinals elects a new pope; in the former, a couple dozen reporters in logoed golf shirts and sensible walking shoes wait anxiously to see if the reigning Masters champion, world No. 2, and undisputed best conversationalist in golf will share a few quotes after his round.
This is a striking development because, among McIlroy’s many talents, is his gift for insightful and generous conversation. In 2024 alone, McIlroy attended 91 tournament press conferences, including at least four at each of the four majors, according to an analysis of transcripts archived by ASAP Sports. His career tournament press conference tally? A remarkable 1,446, dating back to the 2007 Open Championship, which he played in (and spoke at) as an 18-year-old amateur.
McIlroy’s media reticence began at last month’s PGA Championship, when he declined to speak after each of his four rounds, later explaining that he was irritated that news of his failed driver test had “leaked” before the tournament. “I didn’t want to get up there and say something I’d regret,” he said.
At his next start, the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto, McIlroy spoke before the tournament and after each of his first two rounds. When asked in his pre-tournament press conference how much responsibility he feels players have to make themselves available to the media, McIlroy said he understood the importance and “benefit” of talking to the press, but until tournament organisers make it mandatory, “you’re going to have players skip from time to time, and that’s well within our rights.”
On a steamy Thursday afternoon at Oakmont Country Club, the game of will-he-or-won’t-he was in full swing. McIlroy had just signed for an opening four-over 74 at the 125th U.S. Open, a Jekyll-and-Hyde round in which he played his first nine holes (Oakmont’s easier back nine) in a bogey-free two-under before needing 41 shots (six-over) to play his second nine.
Over those latter nine holes, McIlroy was thoroughly challenged by Oakmont: on the par-5 4th, he needed three swings to extract his ball from the punishing right rough. On the par-3 6th, he pushed a 4-footer on the slick surface; then, at the par-4 7th, he yanked a 6-footer. On the par-3 8th, more trouble: after flaring his tee shot into the right rough, McIlroy undercut his ensuing chip and remained short of the green. Another chip and two putts later, and McIlroy had his first double bogey of the championship.
After a powerful drive at the 9th that left him 152 yards to his target, McIlroy hit another loose iron, coming up short and right of the green. When he arrived at his ball, McIlroy waited more than five minutes to play his third shot (his partner Justin Rose was taking time on his way to a double-bogey 6 and a 77). McIlroy spent less time reading his line than gazing towards the back of the expansive 9th green, which doubles as a practice area. Collin Morikawa was honing his game. Corey Conners, too. Amidst the crowd of players, caddies, and coaches — practising 20-footers — was the player McIlroy and his peers are chasing: Scottie Scheffler. The world No. 1 was dressed in muted tones, but McIlroy couldn’t have missed him.
Several minutes later, McIlroy was signing his card in the scoring cabin just beyond the 9th green. The walkway separating the cabin from the slate-roofed clubhouse was bustling: players, caddies, players’ wives, Mark Steinberg in a Sun Day Red polo, new LIV CEO Scott O’Neil holding court, and a pack of reporters awaiting McIlroy. After several more minutes, McIlroy emerged from scoring with his manager, Sean O’Flaherty. They walked past the waiting journalists, up a short flight of stairs, and disappeared into the clubhouse.
Would McIlroy return? The media waited a few minutes, then a few more. Finally, a USGA media official confirmed that McIlroy would not be speaking.
On Tuesday, when McIlroy did speak, he was asked how he has managed the demands on his time following his historic Masters win. “Basically saying no to every request that comes in, trying to get home as much as possible, and trying to do the things I enjoy,” he said. “One of my goals this year was to have more fun, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
His Thursday looked fun for nine holes. Then not so much.
Friday is a new day.
This article originated on Golf.com
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