It looks like the golf media won’t let Rory McIlroy drop the topic of his feud with the press. After the first round of the Travelers Championship, the Northern Irishman showed up to answer reporters’ questions, and the topic came up again, even taking a novel approach.
McIlroy was asked about the role he believes the golf media should play in the current scenario. His response was shocking, to say the least:
“I’m not a journalist. I don’t know. Report the birdies and bogeys, I guess,” he said. “And obviously you have to — the storylines sort of write themselves for the most part.”
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The Northern Irishman emphasized how necessary, but not indispensable, traditional media are in the current context:
“I certainly see the need for it and see the need for the platform. Like I’ve never argued that.”
“But I just think nowadays there’s so many different ways to consume sports and entertainment. It certainly isn’t the only avenue to get your sports news and information.”
The five-time major winner has been in the middle of a back-and-forth with the press since last March, when he supported Collin Morikawa’s decision not to hold a press conference following a disappointing result at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
At the time, Morikawa stated that he “doesn’t owe anyone anything.” McIlroy’s support was based on the fact that PGA Tour rules don’t require him to meet with reporters, as is the case in other sports.
Both attitudes drew criticism from some media outlets.
Rory McIlroy was asked what he thinks the role of the media should be in golf, “Report the birdies and bogeys I guess.”
Imagine how painfully boring golf @X would be if we all just stuck to only talking about golf…….. pic.twitter.com/YuMxMPLNRy— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) June 20, 2025
Weeks later, during the PGA Championship, the issue escalated. As you may recall, McIlroy’s competition driver was declared non-conforming by the USGA, which generated all sorts of comments. The Northern Irishman decided not to hold a press conference during any of the four days of the event, which revived some criticism.
The media had hoped to speak with him at the Memorial Tournament, but the 29-time PGA Tour winner unexpectedly skipped the event. In that context, the golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who hosts Muirfield’s event, used himself as an example of always speaking to reporters, whether he played well or poorly.
McIlroy reappeared before the press at the RBC Canadian Open to confirm that he was “frustrated” at some of the media outlets that cover golf events.
Rory McIlroy got off to a good start in the Travelers Championship, finishing the first round tied for third at 6-under, two strokes behind leaders Austin Eckroat and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy played bogey-free with six birdies.
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