Rory McIlroy Faces Fan Backlash After Bogey on Par-5 at Oakmont, Sparks Debate About His Form and Media Silence

Rory McIlroy, the 36-year-old golfing superstar and five-time major champion, found himself at the center of a storm of criticism following a disappointing performance in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. A bogey on the par-5 12th hole, coupled with a 4-over-par 74, has ignited a firestorm of commentary from fans and analysts, with some declaring that McIlroy’s best days are behind him. Adding fuel to the fire, McIlroy’s decision to skip post-round media obligations has drawn sharp rebuke, raising questions about his mental state and commitment to the sport.

A Disappointing Day at Oakmont

Oakmont, known for its punishing layout and lightning-fast greens, lived up to its reputation as a brutal test of golf during the first round of the U.S. Open. McIlroy, who has been open about the course’s challenges in the lead-up to the tournament, struggled to find his rhythm. His round was marred by a series of unforced errors, including three-putts and errant drives, but it was his bogey on the relatively short par-5 12th that became a focal point for critics.

The 12th, measuring 330 yards, is a hole where players are expected to score at least a birdie or, at worst, a par. McIlroy, renowned for his prodigious length off the tee and aggressive play, appeared to have a golden opportunity to gain ground. However, a wayward approach shot left him in a greenside bunker, and a heavy-handed chip led to a three-putt bogey. The miscue was a microcosm of McIlroy’s day: flashes of brilliance overshadowed by costly lapses in execution.

Social media erupted in the aftermath. One fan posted on X, “Rory McIlroy is finished. Bogey on a par-5 at Oakmont? That’s inexcusable for a guy of his caliber.” Another wrote, “He’s lost his edge. You can’t three-putt a par-5 and expect to contend in a major.” The sentiment was echoed by others, with some pointing to McIlroy’s recent struggles in majors as evidence of a decline. “He hasn’t won a major in over a decade,” one user noted. “The pressure’s getting to him.”

Media Silence Draws Ire

Compounding the criticism was McIlroy’s decision to forego media interviews after his round, a move that has become increasingly common for the Northern Irishman in recent months. Posts on X highlighted fans’ frustration, with one user stating, “He’ll skip media again, won’t he? Rory’s too big to talk when things go wrong.” Another added, “Fans deserve better. He’s the Masters champion, and he can’t face a few questions after a bad round?”

McIlroy’s media avoidance is not a new phenomenon. Earlier this season, he declined interviews for four consecutive days during a tournament after his driver was deemed non-conforming, a decision that drew similar criticism. At the time, one X user remarked, “Rory skipping media for the fourth day is a bad look. Fans want to hear from him, especially after the driver issue.” The pattern has led some to speculate about McIlroy’s mental resilience, particularly in the face of adversity.

Golf analyst Eamon Lynch, cited in a recent X post, reported that McIlroy and Adam Scott faced “brutal conditions” during a practice round at Oakmont, with McIlroy making a bogey on the par-3 8th after hitting a 3-iron. While such reports underscore the course’s difficulty, they have done little to quell the narrative that McIlroy is struggling to adapt to Oakmont’s demands. “Oakmont means carnage,” one X user posted, referencing McIlroy’s 4-over round. “Rory’s got the game to contend, but he needs to keep it together.”

A Career at a Crossroads?

The criticism comes at a pivotal moment in McIlroy’s career. At 36, he remains one of the game’s biggest stars, with a resume that includes five major championships, including the 2011 U.S. Open and the 2025 Masters, which ended a decade-long major drought. However, his recent performances have been inconsistent, with flashes of brilliance interspersed with confounding collapses. Last week, one X user observed, “I watched two rounds of Rory, and he looked lost. This is a recipe for disaster at Oakmont.”

McIlroy’s struggles at Oakmont are not isolated. Earlier this season, he posted a 3-over-par total at a tournament, finishing with rounds of 74, 69, 72, and 72. While he showed resilience by going bogey-free and 2-under on the back nine at Oakmont’s opening round, his front-nine score of 6-over highlighted ongoing issues with consistency. “Rory’s front nine was a massacre,” one X post read. “Will he even make the cut?”

The question of McIlroy’s future looms large. Some fans remain optimistic, pointing to his undeniable talent and history of bouncing back from adversity. “He’s got the game to contend this week,” one supporter posted on X. “He just needs to be patient.” Others, however, see his recent struggles as part of a broader decline. “His sycophants defend everything he does, but the results don’t lie,” one critic wrote, referencing McIlroy’s off-course controversies, including a reported “Pinehurst peel-out” and a media blackout at the PGA Championship.

The Mental Health Angle

Amid the criticism, some have raised the possibility that McIlroy’s struggles may be linked to mental health challenges, a topic that has gained prominence in sports. June 2025 marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and discussions on X have emphasized the pressures athletes face and the importance of seeking help. “Men’s mental health is real,” one user posted. “Rory’s under insane pressure. Maybe skipping media is his way of coping.”

While McIlroy has not publicly addressed his mental health, his media silence and occasional outbursts—such as the reported “Pinehurst peel-out”—suggest a man grappling with the weight of expectations. Golf, a sport that demands mental fortitude, can be particularly unforgiving, and Oakmont’s relentless challenge may have exacerbated McIlroy’s frustrations.

What’s Next for McIlroy?

As the U.S. Open continues, all eyes will be on McIlroy to see if he can rebound from his opening-round struggles. Oakmont’s history of producing dramatic turnarounds—such as Dustin Johnson’s comeback in 2016—offers hope, but McIlroy will need to sharpen his putting and avoid the costly mistakes that plagued his first round. With the cut line projected to hover around 5-over, McIlroy remains in contention to make the weekend, but a repeat of his front-nine performance could spell an early exit.

Off the course, McIlroy faces a different challenge: repairing his relationship with fans and media. His decision to skip interviews, while understandable in the context of a tough day, risks alienating those who have supported him throughout his career. As one X user put it, “Rory’s the latest Masters champ. He made history a few weeks ago. Fans want to hear from him, good or bad.”

For now, McIlroy’s focus will likely be on navigating Oakmont’s treacherous fairways and greens. Whether he can silence his critics with a strong performance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the golf world is watching, and the pressure is on.