Rory McIlroy's performance at the 2025 US Open has sparked significant discussion, particularly from sports broadcaster Dan Patrick, who posed a provocative question: "Did America turn against Rory McIlroy?"
On June 16, during The Dan Patrick Show, he reflected on the golfer's recent struggles. "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 noted.
McIlroy, who celebrated his first Masters victory in April, faced challenges at Oakmont Country Club, finishing tied for 19th place. His weekend was marked by frustration; on June 13, he was seen angrily smashing his club against a tee marker and later throwing it down the course after a poor shot.
Media interactions were minimal, as McIlroy skipped several press sessions, a trend that has become increasingly common for him. "He’s such a good interview and he cares so much," Patrick remarked. "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."
Patrick expressed concern that there might be deeper issues affecting McIlroy. Following his historic Masters win, which made him only the sixth golfer to achieve a career grand slam, Patrick had hoped McIlroy would feel liberated. "Go out and play," he encouraged. "You’re a father. You’re out there; now it can be fun."
McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, have a four-year-old daughter named Poppy, who was not present during the US Open.
Patrick described McIlroy's reluctance to engage with the media as "disappointing." He emphasized the importance of athletes communicating with their fans: "Yes, I’m asking him to be a good interview after being humbled by Oakmont. I know. It goes along with the territory. All of these athletes, I think you owe it to the public to speak to the media."
He continued, "How long you speak or what you say, that’s up to you. But I do think that they support you. They’re out there. They’re fans of yours. They want to hear, good and bad." Patrick suggested that avoiding media interactions might complicate matters further.
After his final round on June 15, McIlroy did meet with reporters, discussing the duality of his life: "I feel like I live two different lives," he shared. "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."
He also expressed his frustrations regarding media expectations, asserting that his long-standing status in golf should afford him certain liberties: "I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah," McIlroy stated.
