Rory McIlroy’s rollercoaster final round at the US Open ended in heartbreak on Sunday, and the Northern Irishman declined media duties after Bryson DeChambeau pipped him to the title.
Paige Spiranac has urged supporters to show compassion towards Rory McIlroy following his heartbreaking miss at a major championship over the weekend.
Rory McIlroy came agonizingly close to capturing his first major title in ten years, holding a two-stroke lead at the US Open with only five holes left. Unfortunately, missed short putts for par on the 16th and 18th holes caused him to relinquish his hold on the championship as the pressure intensified on the renowned golfer.
During the tense final moments of the tournament, Bryson DeChambeau made a decisive move by sinking a crucial four-foot putt on the 18th hole to claim his second major victory, adding to his 2020 success at Winged Foot in New York. In the meantime, McIlroy’s pursuit of major success remains unfulfilled since his last triumph at the 2014 US PGA Championship, marking a ten-year drought.
After the tournament, it was clear that the 35-year-old was feeling the emotional strain, as he chose to skip the presentation ceremony and avoid the press. Fore Play shared a video on social media of McIlroy leaving the venue right after DeChambeau’s win, with the caption: “Rory declined an interview and left almost immediately after the final putt dropped.”
Fans were not pleased with McIlroy’s quick departure after his defeat, and social media users criticized his lack of sportsmanship. One user expressed disappointment by saying: “Doesn’t make the PGA vs LIV look any better for PGA. Bryson talks to fans, stays and signs autographs, respects all the USGA members. Rory leaves upset, declines interviews, doesn’t congratulate Bryson on the win. I understand you’ve struggled for 10 years in a row, but come on, man, show SOME class.” Another added, “So much less likable than Bryson.”
The Daily Star has reported on the ongoing criticism, with one fan expressing, “Not a good look,” while another shared their disapproval, stating, “I like Rory, but this is a poor way to lose.” Despite this, American social media influencer and former professional golfer Spiranac was swift to come to McIlroy’s defense, suggesting that people should show him some leniency following his heartbreaking loss on Sunday.
In a post accompanying the video, she wrote, “I may be in the minority, but I don’t mind when athletes react this way. He put his all out on the course and provided us with an exciting day. My heart goes out to Rory at this moment, and I can only imagine how he must be feeling. Give him a break.” Spiranac’s followers appeared to support her stance, with one stating, “It’s understandable. He’s clearly disappointed with his performance today… He has every right to be finished and not want to speak,” while another commented, “I agree with Paige on this.”
Spiranac, an avid golfer, entered the professional golf scene during her debut on the Cactus Tour at Arizona’s Las Colinas Club in 2016. She secured her sole tour victory by defeating top-ranked amateur Hannah O’Sullivan. However, she is predominantly known for her significant social media following, boasting 4 million followers on Instagram due to her golf-focused content.
Leave a Reply