Rory McIlroy's downward spiral following the Grand Slam persists, as another difficult round at the US Open unfolds.
Ranting Rory: McIlroy's Struggles and Controversy
PITTSBURGH - Rory McIlroy's U.S. Open performance has been far from spectacular, and his frustration is evident on course.
After an impressive finish on Friday, McIlroy slumped on Saturday, shooting 74, leaving him at 10-over 220. The five-time major champion's disappointment was palpable. He confessed, "I was hoping to play better, but I didn't."
Oakmont wasn't giving out birdies easily. Despite the course softening after an inch of rain, it proved challenging even for the world's second-ranked player. McIlroy only hit eight of 14 fairways and 10 greens in regulation - his lowest count in three days.
His frustration boiled over, with club throw-offs and flag marker swipes punctuating his rounds. "It's very difficult," he said. "You got to be on every single shot."
McIlroy's performance follows a strange couple of months. After winning the Masters and completing his career Grand Slam, he's been grappling with a post-victory slump. Unlike previous years, he's struggled to find motivation for subsequent tournaments, expressing a feeling of being "flat."
Moreover, McIlroy seems disenchanted with the media spotlight. He skipped media interviews after the PGA Championship and the first two rounds of the U.S. Open. For a player often serving as golf's unofficial spokesman, this indifference is striking.
Yet, McIlroy remains defiant. "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do," he said. Lately, he's bristled at criticism, particularly since his driver was ruled non-conforming in a random test before the PGA Championship.
This controversy added to McIlroy's woes, but it hasn't deterred him from expressing his displeasure with the USGA and the PGA Tour's media policies. "I hope they don't change it because it's a nice luxury to have," McIlroy said.
Looking ahead, McIlroy faces a mental reset as he prepares for upcoming tournaments like the Travelers Championship and The Open at Portrush. With his career milestones achieved, he now needs to find new targets and maintain his competitive edge to avoid a downward spiral.
Sources:1. McIlroy’s post-Masters slump reignites concerns about his long-term form2. Rory McIlroy 'feeling flat' after Masters win3. McIlroy’s U.S. Open frustration: Tired from three majors in three months?
Despite McIlroy's consecutive major championship victory and achieving his career Grand Slam, he's now focusing on sports-betting opportunities, particularly on upcoming events like the Travelers Championship and The Open at Portrush, in an attempt to maintain his competitive edge and avoid a prolonged slump. Fans and betting enthusiasts might find McIlroy's interest in sports-betting an interesting shift, especially following his controversial club confrontations and media disputes, most recently over the USGA's equipment regulations.
