Paige Spiranac Speaks to What Many Feared About Rory McIlroy’s Treatment After Losing $2 Million at US Open
The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club was a turbulent chapter for Rory McIlroy, marked by a disappointing tie for 19th place and a financial hit of approximately $2 million compared to the winner’s purse. Beyond the scoreboard, McIlroy’s week was defined by emotional outbursts, media snubs, and intense scrutiny, sparking a polarized debate within the golfing world. Amid this storm, golf influencer Paige Spiranac emerged as a vocal defender, articulating concerns many fans and insiders quietly shared about the harsh treatment directed at the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy’s struggles at Oakmont were evident from the outset. His opening rounds included two double bogeys, leaving him at +6 and teetering on the cut line. Frustration boiled over during the second round when he hurled his club after a mishit on the 12th hole, only to catch it in a moment that went viral. The incident drew sharp criticism from some fans, with social media posts branding his behavior as “childish” and questioning his composure. Yet Spiranac, with her 4 million Instagram followers, offered a different perspective. She reposted the clip, writing, “I’m sure people are going to be mad at him for throwing a club, but we’ve all been there. This was sick.” Her comment resonated with those who saw McIlroy’s reaction as a human response to the unrelenting pressure of professional golf.
The media narrative, however, was less forgiving. McIlroy’s decision to skip press conferences after the first two rounds fueled accusations of unprofessionalism. When he finally spoke on Saturday, his terse five-minute exchange revealed frustration not just with his game but with the media itself. “It’s more a frustration with you guys,” he said, referencing leaks about his equipment issues at the PGA Championship, where his driver failed a conformity test. Reports suggested McIlroy felt singled out, especially when similar issues involving other players, like Scottie Scheffler, went unreported. Spiranac echoed this sentiment, posting on X, “Might be an unpopular opinion, but he doesn’t have to talk to the media if he doesn’t want to. It’s not required. Why would he when everyone is always analyzing and criticizing his every move?”
Spiranac’s defense tapped into a broader concern: the intense scrutiny McIlroy faces as one of golf’s biggest stars. Having completed the career Grand Slam with his Masters win in April 2025, McIlroy admitted to feeling “flat” at Oakmont, struggling to find motivation after scaling his personal Everest. This vulnerability, coupled with personal pressures hinted at but not disclosed, suggested deeper challenges. Spiranac’s post on June 15, 2025, captured this nuance: “There is clearly something more going on none of us are privy to, so maybe let’s not all pile on.” Her words struck a chord with fans who felt the media and critics were too quick to judge a player grappling with both professional and personal weight.
Not everyone agreed with Spiranac’s stance. Golf legend Paul McGinley, while empathetic, expressed disappointment, urging McIlroy to emulate Jack Nicklaus’s professionalism. NBC reporter Dan Sands also criticized McIlroy’s media silence as a “mistake,” arguing it cost him control of his narrative. These critiques highlighted the delicate balance athletes navigate in the public eye, where silence can be as damning as an outburst. Yet Spiranac’s support, backed by figures like Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney, who noted McIlroy’s lack of obligation to speak, underscored a growing sentiment that athletes deserve space to process setbacks without relentless dissection.
McIlroy’s Oakmont experience, culminating in a -3 final round but no trophy, has left the golfing community divided. Some see a champion spiraling, others a human navigating a rough patch. Spiranac’s outspoken defense has amplified the latter view, challenging the narrative that McIlroy’s actions signal decline. As he prepares for the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he last won in 2014, the eyes of the golfing world remain fixed on him. Spiranac’s intervention, blending empathy with defiance, has ensured that the conversation around McIlroy’s treatment extends beyond criticism, urging fans and media alike to consider the man behind the headlines.
