OAKMONT, Pa. — It seems like a lifetime ago that Rory McIlroy knelt on all fours at the 18th green at Augusta National sobbing uncontrollably after reaching his ultimate goal of winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy, at least in public, hasn’t appeared to be the same since, and it hasn’t been for the better.
Of late, the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland has spent almost as much time ducking the media as he has been playing golf.
In this week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, he’s appeared frustrated and agitated on the golf course, tossing clubs and grumbling about the set-up.
After a tee shot he wasn’t happy about on the 17th hole Friday, he smashed a tee marker apart with his driver.
Friday’s second round was the sixth consecutive time after a major championship round that he has refused to speak to reporters following his round, dating back to all four rounds at the PGA Championship last month at Quail Hollow.
On Saturday, that curious trend ended as McIlroy spoke to reporters after his third-round 74 that has him at 10-over par, 13 shots out of the lead at the time his round was complete.
McIlroy sounded very much like a player who didn’t want to be at Oakmont, like he can’t wait to get on his private jet after Sunday’s final round and get out of Dodge.
When one Irish reporter did his best to soft-shoe a question to McIlroy, pointing out the “fight’’ he showed in Friday’s second round to make the cut, McIlroy said with a laugh, “Yeah, it’s funny, like it’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not.
“I was sort of thinking, ‘Do I really want two more days here or not?’ So, it makes it easier to play better when you’re in that mindset.’’
Asked to give his “assessment’’ of his U.S. Open, McIlroy said, “Pretty average.’’
McIlroy has alluded to dealing with somewhat of a crisis of motivation since his life-changing accomplishment at the Masters.
He tied for 47th at the PGA, his first tournament back after the Masters victory, and then he missed the cut at the Canadian Open last week, at 9-over par.
And now, he’ll enter the U.S. Open final round at 10-over par. So, in his most recent five rounds, McIlroy is 19-over par.
“You don’t really know how it’s going to affect you,’’ McIlroy said of the Masters win and Grand Slam. “You don’t know how you’re going to react to such a … I wouldn’t say a life-altering occasion … but at least something that I’ve dreamt about for a long time.
“Yeah, I have felt a little flat on the golf course afterwards.’’
McIlroy, who’s built a respected reputation for being so transparent with the media, was asked if his frustrations on the golf course are what has spurred his decision to recently shut out the media after rounds at the past two majors.
“No, not really,’’ he said. “It’s more a frustration with you guys (media).’’
Asked why, he said, “I don’t know. I have been totally available for the last few years, and I’m not saying … maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.’’
Asked if the news leaking about his driver being deemed “non-conforming’’ on a routine check before the PGA, ticked him off, he said, “Yeah, that was a part of it. But … like at Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday, so it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before. I’m just doing it a little more often.
“I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do.’’
McIlroy has recently pointed out that the PGA Tour has no requirements in place that players must be available to the media.
When it was suggested that he sounds like he’s been daring the Tour to put something in place, McIlroy said, “No, I’m not daring them to do anything. I hope they don’t change it because this is a nice luxury to have. I’m just pointing out the fact that we have the ability to do it (blow off reporters).’’
Finally, McIlroy was asked what he’s looking to accomplish in Sunday’s final round.
“Hopefully,’’ he said after a long pause, “a round in under four-and-a half hours and get out of here.’’
