Rory McIlroy faced sharp criticism from Paul McGinley, a prominent figure in Irish golf, following his tumultuous performance at the 2025 U.S. Open. The event at Oakmont Country Club was marked by McIlroy's destructive actions, including damaging a tee marker and throwing a club down the fairway, alongside his decision to largely avoid media interactions.
McGinley, reflecting on the situation, stated, “I don’t like to see that. I think Rory’s better than that.” His comments, reported by various outlets, highlighted concerns about McIlroy's media engagement—or lack thereof—during a time when he should be representing himself positively.
Despite winning his first Masters championship earlier in April, McIlroy struggled at the U.S. Open, finishing tied for 19th place. He only made the cut after a birdie on his final hole of the second round, raising questions about his current form and mental state.
“He looks fed up to me,” McGinley remarked, suggesting that McIlroy appears overwhelmed by the pressures of his career. “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.”
McGinley emphasized the impact of McIlroy's demeanor on his fans, stating that his body language during press conferences does not reflect well on him. “When he does that, because people look up to him, a conference like that with his body language and short language doesn’t serve him right,” he added.
After avoiding media throughout much of the tournament—a trend that has become increasingly common for him—McIlroy did address reporters following his final round on June 15. “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do,” he asserted defiantly.
McGinley expressed disappointment over McIlroy's situation, noting, “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 not right.”
In a brief media interaction on Sunday, McIlroy acknowledged the challenges of balancing his professional commitments with personal responsibilities. Married to Erica Stoll and father to their four-year-old daughter Poppy, he mentioned they are currently building a new home in the UK.
McIlroy's personal life has seen its share of turmoil; he filed for divorce from Stoll in May 2024 after seven years of marriage but later retracted the filing. “I feel like I live two different lives,” he explained. “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.”
Looking ahead, McIlroy is set to compete in the Travelers Championship starting Thursday, June 19, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.
