Rory McIlroy could not contain his frustrations again at the US Open on Sunday. Like many of the favourites, the Northern Irishman has endured a torrid time at Oakmont where the tricky nature of the course has claimed many hopefuls along the way.
McIlroy has never truly contended since play got underway on Thursday at Pennsylvania, and a tough final round saw the Masters winner lash out with another club throw – which was not his first of the weekend.
After another misplaced shot missed the green, McIlroy turned and performed something of a party trick despite being incensed with rage. He turned and raised his club as if he was set to launch it into the ground, before taking a brief pause and resisting a forceful throw.
McIloy then stepped forwards and tossed the club from over his right shoulder onto his golf bag. But, remarkably, the club then bounced back towards him and the 36-year-old caught it with his left hand.
Although the moment impressed those on social media, it won’t have papered over the cracks of what has been a disappointing few rounds for McIlroy.
He hit out at the journalists in attendance at his press conference after his round on Saturday left him 10-over-par for the tournament. Having refused to speak on Thursday and Friday at Oakmont, after also staying silent for four days at the PGA Championship, McIlroy made it clear why.
He said: “It’s just frustration with you guys. I have been totally available for the past number of years.” McIlroy was then asked about whether he is still struggling with his driver, to which he abruptly replied: “That [driver issue] was a part of it but at Augusta I skipped you guys on Thursday. It’s not out of the ordinary as I’ve done it before, but I am doing it a little more often. I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do.”
McIlroy’s outburst received a mixed reaction from those at the course, with 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley slamming his behaviour. He told Live From the U.S. Open: “I don’t like to see that. I think Rory’s better than that. Either not talking to the media or giving a press conference like that doesn’t serve him fairly or rightly for the person that he is.
“He looks fed up to me. He looks like he’s had enough of everything. Whether it was the emotional release of everything that’s gone on in his career, I don’t know, but he’s not himself.”