Rory McIlroy breaks major media silence: 'I've earned the right to do whatever'
OAKMONT, Pa. — For the first time in seven major championship rounds, Rory McIlroy addressed the media afterwards, and he'd apparently been saving up for a while.
Article content
'It's more a frustration with you guys,' he said after shooting a four-over 74 on Saturday, before softening his stance.
Article content
Article content
'Yeah, I don't know,' he added. 'I have, I've been totally available for the last few years, and I'm not saying — maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.'
Article content
Article content
It remains a peculiar stance from a player who has enjoyed overwhelmingly positive media coverage over the years, and a man who was undoubtedly the toast of the town following his career grand slam winning Masters victory in April.
Article content
But it didn't surprise for everyone, as our pre-tournament armchair pyschology in these pages predicted McIlroy's true feelings almost to a tee. Speaking to him at the RBC Canadian Open last week, we had a very strong opinion that McIlroy feels like, for everything he's done for the game, he's earned the right to pull back his public persona.
Article content
'Inside some of his recent comments there also is a common thread that he feels he has earned the right to turn off public Rory,' Tuesday's column said. 'That for all that he has given the game, and in some respect the media, everyone should understand if he doesn't want to talk after rounds four days in a row.'
Article content
On Saturday at Oakmont he basically said read from our pages.
Article content
'I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do,' he said.
Article content
On the golf course this week, it doesn't seem as though McIlroy is overly thrilled with the stern — and very long and slow — test Oakmont is providing. The Northern Irish star was asked what he's hoping for in Sunday's final round, which he'll begin at 10-over par.
Article content
Article content
'Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here,' he said.
Article content
Going back to his Friday's battle with the cutline, McIlroy said it wasn't very stressful, and his reasoning was quite surprising.
Article content
'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,' he said with a laugh '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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Province
6 hours ago
- The Province
Oilers go with undefeated ace in goal for Game 5, bring back top point scoring winger
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 12: Evan Rodrigues #17 of the Florida Panthers shoots on Calvin Pickard #30 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images This in from play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels of Sporsnet, news that Calvin Pickard will start in Game 5 for the Edmonton Oilers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'Pickard starts Game 5.' So far in the playoffs, Pickard has a record of seven wins and no losses. He's been the hero, coming in when the Oilers were down by three and leading the team to a Game 4 historic win, the first time since 1919 a team had been down by three goals in a Stanley Cup Final and come back to win the game. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And from Tony Brar of Oilers TV: EDM lines – Saturday Morning Skate: RNH – McDavid – Brown Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Perry Skinner – Henrique – Frederic Kane – Janmark – Arvidsson • Kapanen, Ryan, Jones Ekholm – Walman Nurse – Stecher Kulak – Bouchard • Klingberg, Emberson, Dineen Pickard Skinner And from ESPN's Greg Wyshynski: 'Good Edmonton Oilers stat: Teams that start at home in a best-of-7 SCF and are tied 2-2 have won 77% of series. Bad Oilers stat: Time leading in this series is FLA 149:37 vs. EDM 33:51.' My take 1. Arvidsson has the second highest points per 60 at 5-on-5 of any Oilers forward in the 2025 playoffs after Connor McDavid. He also scored a big goal in Game One. Kapanen's game had dropped off a bit in terms of his physicality. And fresh legs and hyper-motivated players seem to work well for the Oilers in the playoffs. Arvidsson is also a better, less chaotic defender than Kapanen. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I like Arvidsson's insertion into the line-up. Good plan. 2. Connor Brown has been struggling since he came back from injury. He's not played well. But coach Kris Knoblauch seems to know what he's doing, correct? Perhaps this is the game Brown snaps out of it. He's certainly getting another push being put with McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. 3. Calvin Pickard over Stuart Skinner is an obvious move. A no-brainer really. Skinner made some big saves early in Game 4 as the Panthers came out ready and the Oilers came out nervous and weak. But he could not maintain that high level until the end of the period, letting in three goals, and this after a mediocre Game 3, where he let in five goals on just 10 Grade A shots. An NHL goalie, on average, is expected to stop at least four out of five Grade A shots, and two out of three of the subset of most dangerous 5-alarm shots. Skinner has not come close enough to that mark in the Stanley Cup Final. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. According to shot quality in Game 4, you'd expect Skinner to let in 3.3 goals against Florida in the first period. He let in three. Skinner was average in Game 4, maybe a bit above average given the shot volume. According to shot quality, you'd expect Pickard to let in 2.9. He let in one. Pickard was great in Game 4. Skinner wasn't the cause of the 3-0 deficit in the first. But Pickard played a huge part in that win. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 4. Evander Kane has been bumped down to the fourth line with Janmark and Arvidsson. Some real talent on that line, with Janmark playing strong hockey just now. Kane deserves the demotion, however, for not being in better control of his stick and taking some iffy penalties. Yes, the refs are looking out for him. But he's giving them ammunition. It's also the case that both Kane and Draisaitl can focus a bit too much on offence, leaving them open to counterattacks when they're together on the ice. I see the Oilers at their best when Kane and Draisaitl are not on the same line. 5. If Edmonton is going to win today it needs at least NHL average goaltending, but it also needs its top players, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse, to ramp up their defensive play. They all had weak games on defence in Game 4, all of them major culprits on goals and numerous Grade A shots against. Essentially, either through over-aggression, poor reads or inattention, they left too many attackers wide open for slot shots. They're all capable of solid defensive play, they've all done it regularly in the past, but now would be a fine time for each of them to play shut-down defence. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 6. Adam Henrique bossed the game in his own end in Game 4, providing steadfast defensive play, anchoring a strong line with Jeff Skinner and Trent Frederic, who both had their best games of the playoffs. I wonder if we'll see this line against Florida's excellent third line? It might well work. At the Cult of Hockey STAPLES: 'Pure garbage': Panthers fanbase rants about Skinner hold, say it proves refs biased against Florida STAPLES 'Oh God, that hurt': Toronto Maple Leafs insider can't bring himself to celebrate Oilers OT win Staples: 'Not the ref's fault': Florida Panthers country reacts to historic Stanley Cup Final collapse in Game 4 LEAVINS: Game grades in historic Oilers win Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News News
National Post
8 hours ago
- National Post
Daily Horoscope - Sunday, June 15, 2025
Moon Alert There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aquarius. Article content The Stars Rate Your Day 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult Article content Article content Aries (March 21-April 19) ** Parents should be extra vigilant today because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Meanwhile, it's also a challenging day to deal with your kids in terms of arguments, hissy fits and meltdowns. Likewise, romance is dicey as well. Oy! Article content Taurus (April 20-May 20) ** It's tough to keep the peace at home today because unexpected events might create challenges. Family arguments might suddenly occur, especially because everyone has a strong sense of ego today, which makes compromise difficult. Go gently. Article content Gemini (May 21-June 20) ** Pay attention to everything you say and do because this is an accident-prone day for your sign. Impulsive behaviour, as well as speaking quickly, and thereby saying something you might later regret could get you in hot water. Take it easy and be mindful. Article content Cancer (June 21-July 22) ** Keep an eye on your possessions and your money today in order to protect them from loss, theft or damage. Another thing to be aware of is impulse spending. Keep your receipts because spontaneous purchases might not lose their appeal to you later. Article content Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) * Your thinking is impulsive and changeable today. On the upside, this gives you a chance to break out of a rut. But on the downside, others might find you unsettling and too unpredictable, especially if you rebel against restrictions. Think before you act. Avoid ending up somewhere you don't want to be. Article content Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ** Today you feel restless and perhaps without purpose. You're not sure which direction to go? You feel the need for change but you're not sure what to do. Be a tourist in your own city because this will please you. Seek out parks, beautiful buildings, galleries and museums. Article content Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ** In your drive for new experiences today, you might seek out new friendships or associates that you think are exciting and stimulating – people you would not normally associate with. Guard against extreme behaviour. Don't do anything you will regret later. When this influence is over, you might long for what is familiar and safe. Article content Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ** Your interactions with parents, bosses, teachers and VIPs (including the police) are unpredictable today because you feel rebellious, and you might also be impulsive. Pull in your reins a little and give some sober, second thought to what you want to do. Be careful. Article content Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ** Travel plans might suddenly change today. They could be cancelled or delayed. Alternatively, you might impulsively decide to travel. Many people feel restless and impulsive today, including you, which means things are unpredictable. Therefore, be mindful and go carefully. Article content Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) ** Double check finances and anything related to shared property, inheritances and red-tape issues because these are the areas that are subject to sudden change today. Obviously, you want to protect your assets. Keep your eyes open to know what's happening. Article content Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) ** Be patient with partners and close friends today to avoid sudden upsets and quarrels. People don't want to be penned in, or held accountable for their behaviour, because there's a rebellious influence in the air. Don't say anything you will later regret. This is just a temporary influence. Don't let it ruin a relationship. Article content Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) ** Anything to do with your work, your health or a pet is up for grabs today because this is a day full of last-minute surprises, angry retorts and rebellious behaviour. It's not easy. The best way to handle this kind of situation is to go slowly and be mindful of how you respond to others. Stay chill. Article content If Your Birthday Is Today Actor, rapper Ice Cube (1969) shares your birthday today. You are curious, especially about other people. You thrive in teamwork because you like to bring joy to others. This is your year to socialize and enjoy life! Your creativity is that a pinnacle. Nurture the happiness and beauty that you have within yourself. Have fun but remember your goals.
CBC
10 hours ago
- CBC
2025 World Athletics Wanda Diamond League: Stockholm
Stockholm Olympic Stadium plays host to the world's top track and field stars for the latest stop of the 2025 World Athletics Wanda Diamond League tour.
