Paige Spiranac leaps to Rory McIlroy's defense amid criticism over US Open media snub
Social-media influencer Paige Spiranac has leapt to the defense of Rory McIlroy amid criticism he skipped media sessions during the US Open this weekend at Oakmont.
McIlroy skipped interviews after his rounds on Thursday and Friday and when he faced reporters on Saturday, said he was frustrated by them during a tense five-minute back-and-forth. He added that he felt he can do 'whatever I want' when it comes to media commitments.
McIlroy finished the tournament in a tie for 19th place at 7-over-par with an impressive -3 under final round. The Northern Irishman is one of the most popular golfers in the world and his every move is under a magnifying glass - especially since winning the Masters earlier this year to complete the Grand Slam.
Spiranac has came to his defense, making sure those in the golf world are not too quick to attack one another.
'Might be an unpopular opinion here but he doesn't have to talk to the media if he doesn't want to. It's not required,' Spiranac said on social media. 'And why would he when everyone is always analyzing and criticizing his every move.'
'There is clearly something more going on none of us are privy to, so maybe let's not all pile on.'
McIlroy on Saturday was also quick to point out previously he skipped out on the first round of media availability after the first round of The Masters.
The 36-year-old also did not speak with the media after every round of last month's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where he finished in a tie for 47th place.
Earlier this month, McIlroy hit out at the leaks surrounding his driver debacle at the PGA Championship last month, admitting he was 'p***** off' about being publicly singled out for failing an equipment check.
'I was a little p***** off because I knew that Scottie's (Scheffler) driver had failed on Monday, but my name was the one that was leaked. It was supposed to stay confidential,' he said.
'Two members of the media were the ones that leaked it. Again, I didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted, either, because there's a lot of people that I'm trying to protect.
'Scottie - I don't want to mention his name. I'm also trying to protect TaylorMade. I'm trying to protect the USGA, PGA of America, myself. I just didn't want to get up there and say something that I regretted at the time.
'With Scottie's stuff, that's not my information to share. I knew that that had happened, but that's not on me to share that, and I felt that process is supposed to be kept confidential, and it wasn't for whatever reason. That's why I was pretty annoyed at that.'
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