Rory McIlroy’s Behavior Called Out by Irish Golf Legend: ‘This Is Not Normal’

Rory McIlroy was harshly criticized by one of his home country’s golf legends after his controversial behavior at the 2025 U.S. Open.

Following McIlroy’s contentious weekend at Oakmont Country Club — which saw him destroy a tee marker, hurl a club down the fairway and skip out on most of his media obligations — the Holywood, Ireland native, 36, drew the wrath of famed Irish golfer Paul McGinley.  

“I don’t like to see that,” McGinley, 58, said, according to GOLF.com’s James Colgan. “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 person he is.”

McIlroy has struggled to regain the form that saw him win his first Masters championship in April. He finished in a tie for 19th place at the U.S. Open, having to make a birdie on his final second round hole to even make the cut.

“He looks fed up to me,” McGinley argued. “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. This is not normal.”

McGinley continued, “When he does that, because people look up to him, a [press] conference like that with his body language and short language doesn’t serve him right.”

After McIlroy ducked the media throughout the tournament — which has become a regular thing in recent months for him — he did speak to reporters after his final round on Sunday, June 15. “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do,” McIlroy said defiantly.

“I don’t like to see it,” McGinley continued. “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.”

Us Weekly has reached out to McIlroy for comment.

During his brief comments to the media on Sunday, McIlroy candidly admitted he’s been busy balancing his professional life with his personal obligations back home. McIlroy is married to Erica Stoll, and they share daughter Poppy, 4. The family is currently in the process of building a new house in the UK.

McIlroy filed for divorce from Stoll in May 2024 after seven years of marriage before calling it off the following month. 

“I feel like I live two different lives,” he said. “I’m a dad and a husband when I’m away from here, and then I’m who I am when I’m here. It’s always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality.’’

McIlroy will next compete in the Travelers Championship, which begins Thursday, June 19, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.