Over the weekend, Rory McIlroy broke his media silence over the last two major championships as he spoke to reporters after he barely made the cut to play in Sunday’s finale of the U.S. Open. McIlroy has declined media availabilities since The Masters, but said on Saturday following his round that he’s grown frustrated with the media. The defending Masters champion said he has skipped out on media previously and feels he’s earned the right to do so if he chooses.
However, McIlroy’s comments did not sit well with Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, who teared into the golfer for his remarks this weekend.
“I hate that he was cheered so much when The Masters went down. I hate it,” said Shan Shariff. “I hate that golf doesn’t have any governing body regulation to fine them or make them talk. You little brat.”
Historically, McIlroy has always been a frequent interview subject throughout his career, given his standing in the game of golf. Furthermore, he was the main figure for the PGA during the previous dealings between the Association and the upstart LIV Golf. Yet, McIlroy has been avoiding reality ever since SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio broke the post-Masters news that the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland had been forced to ditch his driver because it was found to be ‘non-conforming’ in random testing.
Additionally, it should be noted that McIlroy was made available for a pre-tournament interview session last Tuesday at Oakmont Country Club before the U.S. Open began. However, the comments made Saturday ahead of his round about just trying to finish the final round and “get out of here” did not sit well with Shariff.
“Why don’t you just come out and say it,” questioned Shariff. “Why are you dancing around it? You’re ‘Mr. Bold,’ and we loved you when you were the spokesperson against leave LIV. Now you’re just pussyfooting around and just dancing around it. Say it.”
Meanwhile, during the discussion, RJ Choppy likened this meeting with McIlroy and the media to one of the all-time worst press conferences he’s ever heard.
“It is a heel turn,” said Choppy. “This is one of the more unlikable meetings with the press I’ve heard. It really was.”
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