Rory McIlroy’s controversial weekend at the 2025 US Open drew the ire – and some big questions – from legendary sports broadcaster Dan Patrick.
“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.”
McIlroy, 36, earned his first Masters victory in April, but has struggled to regain the same form since. He finished in a tie for 19th place at last weekend’s US Open, held at Pennsylvania’s Oakmont Country Club.
The golfer’s weekend was mired with debate and controversy. McIlroy was seen lashing out in anger on Friday, June 13, smashing his club against a tee marker. Later in the day, he chucked his golf club down the course after hitting a poor shot.
The tournament also saw McIlroy give very little time to the media, skipping most of his sessions with reporters – which has become a habit for him.
“He’s such a good interview and he cares so much,” Patrick said. “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 added, “It just feels like there’s a whole lot more going on with Rory McIlroy.”
Following McIlroy’s long-awaited Masters win – which saw him become just the sixth golfer in history to win the career grand slam – Patrick hoped there would have been a weight lifted off McIlroy’s shoulders.
“Go out and play,” Patrick urged. “You’re a father. You’re out there, now it can be fun.”
McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, share daughter Poppy, 4. Neither were in attendance throughout the weekend at the US Open.
Patrick called McIlroy’s reluctance to meet with the media and be an ambassador for the game of golf “disappointing.”
“Yes, I’m asking him to be a good interview after being humbled by Oakmont. I know,” Patrick said. “It goes along with the territory. All of these athletes, I think you owe it to the public to speak to the media. 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 added, “Sometimes you work harder to get out of something like that, to avoid something like that.”
McIlroy did meet with reporters after his final round on Sunday, June 15, where he discussed the currency dichotomy of his life.
“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 also discussed his frustration with the media, insisting that his position as one of the biggest names in golf for over a decade should grant him certain privileges.
“I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah,” McIlroy said.
