Rory McIlroy wanted nothing to do with the media after he unusually blew the ball while standing in the rough on the 18th hole during the first round of the US Open Thursday.
McIlroy, who last won the US Open in 2011, finished T5 after a solid 17 holes, but the unfortunate mistake on 18th put him at 5-under-par for the day, just three shots behind the leaders. Rickie Fowler and Zander Schauffle.
Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club on June 15, 2023. (Sean M Haffey/Getty Images)
After finally getting the ball out of the tall grass, McIlroy sank an 11-foot putt for bogey, but no questions were answered about what happened.
US OPEN FAN IS SENT OFF AFTER INTERRUPTING PHIL MICKELSON
According to the New York Post, McIlroy went directly to the clubhouse and did not return despite the USGA application for media availability. In fact, McIlroy also canceled his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday.
With a rough start overall this year, McIlroy said in March that he was «ready to go back to being purely a golfer.»
Rory McIlroy on the 18th green during the first round of the US Open on June 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Sean M Haffey/Getty Images)
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His responsibilities as player director on the Tour Player Advisory Council, as well as being one of the PGA Tour The biggest defenders in their feud with LIV Golf since last year have certainly shifted their focus off the course.
«I always thought I had a good handle on perspective on things and where golf fits into my life, and trying to find purpose outside of golf in some way,» McIlroy said of their breakup before the Wellses. Fargo Championship last month.
«But I think in the last 12 months, I’ve lost sight of that. I’ve lost sight of the fact that there’s more to life than the world of golf and this silly little feud that happens between tours, and all sorts of things.» stuff.»
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But with the recent ceasefire between the tracks, McIlroy’s performance at Los Angeles Country Club does stand out.
Rickie Fowler plays his shot from the seventh hole during the US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club on June 15, 2023. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
His 30 on the front nine was his best nine-hole score in any major and he was one of only six players to shoot 65 or higher – the US Open has never had more than two players on 65 or higher in the first round.
Associated Press contributed to this report.