The media got radio silence from Rory McIlroy after his less-than-stellar run at the 2025 PGA Championship. The move was puzzling, to say the least.
McIlroy finished 3-over par over four rounds at the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club in Charlotte, N.C. His final score of 287 landed him outside the top 40. The Northern Irish golfer opted not to speak to reporters throughout his four days at the PGA Championship.
Unlike sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL, PGA Tour golfers are not required to address the media after every round or tournament. McIlroy choosing not to speak to the media after a rough weekend would probably not raise too many eyebrows under different circumstances.
However, McIlroy was forced to switch drivers after his preferred one was deemed “non-conforming” by the USGA. His driver underwent mandatory tests and was flagged before the first round. McIlroy had to use his backup driver, which could have thrown off his game a bit.
It’s not uncommon for golfers to be flagged for having a non-conforming driver. Driver testing is a regular occurrence on the PGA Tour. Even the eventual 2025 PGA Championship winner, Scottie Scheffler, had to switch drivers before going on to dominate the tournament.
But unlike Scheffler, McIlroy did not give himself the chance to set the record straight about the relatively ho-hum driver issue. It’s possible that McIlroy had other reasons for skipping interviews than one revolving around his driver.
Whatever the case, McIlroy’s first major appearance following his iconic Masters win did not go as planned.
