Rory McIlroy struggled for form at the U.S. Open while also avoiding media through the first two rounds at Oakmont – and Dan Patrick hopes the behavior does not continue

Rory McIlroy was unable to find his best form during a disappointing week at Oakmont(Image: Getty Images)

Dan Patrick suggested Rory McIlroy has “a whole lot more going on” after the five-time major champion lashed out at the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open was a week to forget at Oakmont for the reigning Masters champion. He cut a frustrated figure throughout; during the second round on Friday, he threw a club and smashed a tee box as his hopes for a sixth major title slipped away.

McIlroy finally addressed the media after going six major championship rounds without doing so. Visibly annoyed, he held nothing back, having carded six bogeys on a disappointing day.

McIlroy suggested he has been purposefully dodging media because he has “earned the right” to do so. While he has been available throughout his career, McIlroy pointed out he is beholden to no official requirement to hold press conferences.

Ultimately, Patrick believes McIlroy can still be a “golf ambassador” and called on the five-time major champion to speak to the media after rounds. He then suggested McIlroy might be struggling off the course, after U.S. Open commentators wondered if his family’s upcoming move to Wentworth is playing a part.

“I still think he’s such a good interview and he cares so much, I wish that he would meet with the media,” Patrick said on ‘The Dan Patrick Show.’ “I know it’s tough to go in there and have somebody filet you because you didn’t play well. But look, you won the career Grand Slam. You’re on scholarship.

“It just feels like there’s a whole lot more going on with Rory McIlroy.

“He held on for dear life to win the Masters. Dear life. It was painful to watch. And now, you kind of thought, ‘Man, that’s lifted. Go out and play.’”

Rory McIlroy directed his fury at the media following his third round at the U.S. Open(Image: US OPEN)

Patrick suggested McIlroy might be shirking media because he’s tired of being the spokesperson for the PGA Tour following his clash with LIV Golf. He also outlined how McIlroy could be frustrated with the media following the driver controversy in which he might feel singled out.

But Patrick was resolute in his stance, adding: “It goes along with the territory. All of these athletes, I think you owe it to the public to speak to the media.

“How long you speak or what you say, that’s up to you. But I do think that they support you, they’re out there, they’re fans of you, they want to hear. Good and bad.

“Everybody wins, they want to bring their kids to the press conference. When you lose, you don’t want to be there. I understand that.”

Ultimately, McIlroy suggested his poor play has come from him feeling deflated following his Masters win. He told reporters: “Look, I climbed my Everest in April, and I think after you do something like that, you’ve got to make your way back down, and you’ve got to look for another mountain to climb. An Open at Portrush is certainly one of those.

“If I can’t get motivated to get up for an Open Championship at home, then I don’t know what can motivate me.”