Rory McIlroy provided one of the biggest stories from last week’s PGA Championship.
And not because of his 3-over, T47 finish.
Ahead of the year’s second major, McIlroy’s driver was reportedly deemed non-conforming via testing and the reigning Masters champion played a backup head en route to hitting 26 of 56 fairways.
Then, after each round, McIlroy sidestepped the media.
That caused a lot of criticism as the Northern Irishman failed to answer for what happened with his driver, but Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner is giving McIlroy a pass.
There was criticism of @McIlroyRory for not talking to the media after his rounds @PGAChampionship but as @johnson_wagner explains he gets pulled in different directions throughout the week like no other player.@GolfChannel | @Garywilliams1Up | @BrendonDeJonge | @johnson_wagner… pic.twitter.com/nVRqPt5q2u
— 5 Clubs (@5ClubsGolf) May 20, 2025
“I just have to say, I’ve done a couple of walking talks with him in the last two years now and I don't think there I don’t really think there's anybody that can appreciate what Rory goes through on a Tuesday or a Wednesday at a major championship,” Wagner, a three-time PGA Tour winner, said on Golf Channel’s 5 Clubs.
“I mean, he did his press conference on Wednesday, goes out and played the back nine late. The crowds are massive. Everybody’s yelling at him, wanting a picture, wanting an autograph, and there’s so many inside the ropes credentials that every step he takes, someone wants something from him. And I have so much respect for how he handles himself and on a day when he’s trying to prepare for a major championship.
“So I’m giving Rory grace.”
Others, such as former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, don’t echo Wagner’s sentiment.
“I don't think it’s good for the game,” McGinley told Sky Sports. “I don’t think it’s good for their persona. Rory is very popular and you run the risk of undoing a lot of the popularity when you don’t speak, whatever his reasons were.”
Regardless, McIlroy will see the media again sometime soon.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as TV Analyst Defends Rory McIlroy's Decision to Skip Media at PGA Championship.
