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Paul McGinley doesn’t hold back with Rory McIlroy stance at US Open – ‘Something’s not right'

Rory McIlroy has been criticised for his behaviour at the US Open this week, with Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley admitting he is 'worried' about the Northern Irishman

Rory McIlroy during the third round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont
Rory McIlroy has had a tough time of it at the US Open(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Ryder Cup icon Paul McGinley has expressed concern regarding Rory McIlroy's recent conduct at the US Open.

McIlroy's aspirations for a second major title this year were quashed early on during his time at Oakmont Country Club, where he faced significant challenges.


In addition to his struggles on the course, the 36-year-old initially avoided engaging with the media during the first rounds of the tournament, only breaking his silence after seven championship rounds had passed.


Following a candid discussion about his difficulties at the Pennsylvania venue, McIlroy reaffirmed his stance on media engagement, sparking controversy by asserting that he "earned the right" to choose when to interact with the press.

McGinley criticised McIlroy's aloof approach towards the media, suggesting that the Northern Irish golfer appears "fed up" and pondering if his Masters triumph has left him emotionally depleted, reports the Mirror US.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the 58-year-old said: "I didn't enjoy them, I don't like to see that. I think Rory's better than that. Either not talking to the media or not giving a press conference like that doesn't serve him fairly or rightly for the kind of person that he is.

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Rory McIlroy at the US Open
Rory McIlroy again decline to speak to the media for the beginning of the tournament(Image: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

"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, not just in winning the Masters but in his whole career being pointed towards trying to be a Grand Slam winner and now he's kind of reeling on the ropes a bit after that.

"He's not himself. This is not normal. People and players look up to him, he's created such a great profile in the media and a [press] conference like that with his body language and short answers or not doing it doesn't serve him right."


McGinley then expressed further concern for McIlroy, admitting: "I don't like to see it, 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."

Earlier in the week, McGinley had criticised McIlroy's recent interactions with the media. The golfer expressed frustration with reporters for revealing information about his non-standard driver at the PGA Championship, leading to an eleventh-hour equipment switch.

Paul McGinley speaking on Sky Sports
Paul McGinley sounded off on Rory McIlroy's exchanges with the media this week(Image: SkySports)
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The ex-Ryder Cup captain provided his insights on Golf Channel's 'Live From', commenting that McIlroy looked "un-Rory-like" during his media sessions. McGinley had said: "I'm no psychologist but it looks like the air has been sucked out of him a little since that, not just in the way he's played but in his press conferences.

"It's very un-Rory-like in his press conferences to have such low energy. There will be a reset at some stage and it doesn't look like it'll come this week. His team are saying he's playing OK.

"But this is not normal Rory. This is not when he's at his best in my opinion. I think he's at his best when he's p***ed off and he's out to prove something following off a big loss or something that went wrong."

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