I love Rory McIlroy and after what happened to him on Sunday I don’t want to even see a blade of green Bermuda grass, much less touch a golf club, for six months.
But this was unacceptable.
Following his historic defeat at the 2024 U.S. Open, where he lost by just one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau, McIlroy ran off the golf course without taking any questions, rather than taking the customary media opportunity following the runner-up round of a major tournament.
It will be interesting to see Rory’s reaction to the media. I think it’s bullshit.
— Big Randy (@BigRandyNLU) June 16, 2024
Rory McIlroy leaves the clubhouse. He gets in his car and drives away. pic.twitter.com/xrUxrAWh3b
— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) June 16, 2024
I feel bad for Rory. He’s a really good guy in a sport that isn’t necessarily suited to them. A family man. He didn’t sell out like so many of his contemporaries did for Saudi Arabian money. Sunday will be a day he’ll never forget after blowing a two-stroke lead with five holes to go by missing two putts under four feet and missing a playoff. I don’t want any decent reporter to question me about that nightmare afternoon, either.
Rory McIlroy loaded his car and hurriedly left the grounds, so there were no media interviews. pic.twitter.com/z9FzEoq0hB
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) June 16, 2024
But being a man means being responsible, and never more so than when you’re at your lowest. Rory should have stepped up to the podium, explained what happened and then gracefully exited. He should not have arrived at the airport before Bryson handed in his scorecard.
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