Rory McIlroy has offered a candid reflection on his mindset during the 2025 US Open, admitting that he was unsure whether he even wanted to make the cut at Oakmont. Despite making birdies on two of his last four holes on Friday to narrowly stay in contention for the weekend, McIlroy revealed after Saturday’s round that he felt indifferent about continuing in the tournament.
McIlroy, who posted a 74 in the third round to sit at 10 over par, appeared subdued and emotionally distant during his media appearance his first since Tuesday. His demeanor suggested he was carrying lingering psychological fatigue, perhaps still processing the emotional impact of finally capturing the Masters title earlier this year, completing the career grand slam.
“It’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not,” McIlroy admitted, alluding to a sense of detachment. “I was sort of thinking, do I really want two more days here or not? So it makes it easier to play better when you’re in that mindset.”
His comments revealed a deeper struggle with post-victory motivation, particularly after a career-defining triumph at Augusta. McIlroy had spoken earlier in the week about not knowing how winning the Masters would affect him, and now, days into a major he once fiercely pursued, he described his emotions as “a little flat.”
On his performance so far, McIlroy was blunt, calling it “pretty average” and displaying little enthusiasm for the final round. “Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here,” he said, summarizing a mood that seems more focused on moving on than competing.
His recent interactions with the media have also been tense. After skipping media duties for six consecutive major rounds, McIlroy addressed questions surrounding his withdrawal from press conferences, including speculation that frustration over recent reports may have contributed to his silence. The controversy stemmed from last month’s PGA Championship, where his driver was reported to have failed a conformity test, sparking debate and drawing unwanted attention. Despite another player eventual champion Scottie Scheffler facing the same issue, only McIlroy was initially named.
When asked if this controversy played a role in his limited media availability, McIlroy said it was a factor but not unusual behavior on his part. “At Augusta I skipped you guys on Thursday, so it’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve done it before, I’m just doing it a little more often. I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do.”
McIlroy’s remarks paint the picture of a player caught between accomplishment and emotional drift, still reconciling the high of a long-awaited milestone with the pressures of expectations that refuse to ease.
