Golf analyst calls out Rory McIlroy for ‘baffling’ behaviour

More questions have been posed of Rory McIlroy, as he navigates a particularly strange spell in his illustrious career.

The Northern Irishman said completing the career grand slam at the Masters in April was like climbing his Mount Everest.

Since then, the 36-year-old has spoken of having to climb back down and find a new challenge, all whilst letting off plenty of steam.

And according to SportsCentre anchor Scott van Pelt, it’s all been a bit ‘odd’.

“I’m just baffled by what happened,” he said on his ESPN podcast. “Like what’s going on?

“People are going to speculate about his life; I will not do that. The man’s life is his own business.

“He mentioned yesterday that he’s climbed his Everest and I’m trying to come down the mountain, and I get that.

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“I, in my life, have never nor will I ever have a monumental accomplishment such as that, like finishing off the career grand slam.

“I don’t know what comes afterwards, you wonder is it like you don’t have anything to chase or a hill to climb.

“But that doesn’t explain to me the fact that his resting posture seems p****d off at everyone, and I’m just baffled by it, because he is such a leader of the tour.

“He has been incredibly accountable, more than anybody, and maybe he’s just reached the point where he’s like, ‘I’m done’.”

At last week’s US Open, McIlroy explained that he was dealing with a mental stumbling block, preventing him from playing his best golf.

Despite not being in the ‘right frame of mind’, he finished T19 at Oakmont.

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However, van Pelt has questioned why McIlroy has been ‘mad at everyone’ just weeks after slipping into a Green Jacket.

“He just seems like he’s mad at everything and everybody and that’s the part I don’t quite get,” he said.

“The whole LIV thing led to these elevated events and then Jack has an elevated event, and he doesn’t go. He didn’t even call him, after he sat down with him and they brainstormed how to win at Augusta, and you don’t call Jack.

“That’s poor form, is what it is, and from a guy, in my opinion, is always in immaculate form, has always said things that are well done.

“It’s just odd, odd is the only thing I can say. I don’t know the source of it, and I won’t speculate. It’s suddenly like he’s become a different dude.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.