Paige Spiranac has come to the defense of Rory McIlroy following a subdued and turbulent showing at the 2025 U.S. Open, where the five-time major champion struggled and chose to remain mostly silent in the face of mounting media scrutiny.
The 32-year-old blonde influencer took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, voicing support for McIlroy’s decision to avoid press obligations after his performance at Oakmont, where he finished tied for 19th at seven-over par.
“Might be an unpopular opinion here,” Sprianac wrote on Elon Musk’s platform. “But he doesn’t have to talk to the media if he doesn’t want to. It’s not required.
“And why would he when everyone is always analyzing and criticizing his every move? There is clearly something more going on none of us are privy to so maybe let’s not all pile on.”
The 36-year-old skipped his media duties after carding a disappointing 4-over 74 in Thursday’s opening round and it wasn’t until Saturday, following several days of speculation, that he broke his silence.
“I’ve felt a little flat,” McIlroy admitted to reporters. “I have been totally available for the last few years.
“And I’m not saying … maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.”
His comments referenced growing frustration with the relentless media coverage surrounding both his on-course performances and off-course decisions, which seemed to reach a boiling point at last month’s PGA Championship.
At Quail Hollow, he also opted not to meet with reporters, that time amid controversy surrounding a non-conforming driver, before going on to finish in T47th at +3, 14 shots behind Scottie Scheffler’s winning effort.
Despite a challenging week at Oakmont, McIlroy remains focused on closing out the major season with purpose as he takes to the British Open Championship, which will be held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland beginning July 17.
The tournament offers not only a chance for redemption but also a homecoming for the Northern Irishman after his Masters triumph, who last won The Open in 2014 at Royal Liverpool.
“I climbed my Everest in April,” McIlroy said, referring to his long-awaited Masters win. “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.”
How did J.J. Spaun win the 2025 U.S. Open?
While McIlroy faced struggles, it was J.J. Spaun who authored one of the most memorable conclusions in U.S. Open history as the 34-year-old, who had never before won a major, birdied the final two holes to secure an unlikely victory.
His effort was punctuated by an astonishing 64-foot putt on the 72nd hole-a career-best distance that stunned the gallery and secured him what he described as a magical ending to the tournament.
“It’s definitely like a storybook, fairytale ending, kind of underdog fighting back, not giving up, never quitting,” Spaun said. “You couldn’t write a better story.”
Spaun’s closing nine of 32 was the lowest final-nine score in a U.S. Open since Tiger Woods in 2000.
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