Sky Sports commentator responds to Rory McIlroy’s media snub

Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray has leapt to Rory McIlroy’s defence for refusing media duties at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy was condemned by some for shunning reporters after all four rounds as he made a swift exit following a substandard week at Quail Hollow.

The Masters champion seldom skips media duties – particularly after making the cut in a tournament – which left many wondering why he made such an uncharacteristic move.

Indeed, many questions were left unanswered about McIlroy’s worst result of the season – not least his response to the controversy about his driver being deemed “non-conforming” at the Charlotte course.

• Rory McIlroy makes surprise decision after PGA Championship blow

• PGA Championship: 34 random thoughts and takeaways from Quail Hollow

Murray, however, does not feel McIlroy was obliged to speak during a mediocre showing

“If he was in the top-three after the first round… but he was outside the top 100,” Murray said on the Sky Sports Golf podcast.

“Why would you want to speak to somebody who’s outside the top 100. Why wouldn’t you go and speak to another player? Why would you speak to him? He’s got nothing to say. I back Rory McIlroy on that.”

There a current spotlight on whether golfers should be required to speak to media after their rounds, ignited somewhat when Collin Morikawa said he “didn’t owe anyone anything” after declining media duties following his near-miss at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Murray, however, believes McIlroy was not the story at Quail Hollow.

“He gave a tremendous amount of time and has done since the start of his career,” the Scot added.

• Sergio Garcia dealt huge Ryder Cup blow

• Major champ apologises for PGA Championship behaviour

“Rory’s never changed. He’s the same lad since I met him as a teenager. My question to the press would be: ‘Why do you want to talk to McIlroy when there’s 107 players ahead of him?’

The next day was a fight to make the cut which was fairly impressive given the way he played the first day. So he makes the cut on the mark. 74 players make the cut.

“Why do you want to speak to McIlroy when you’ve got players second, third and fourth? You don’t need to speak to McIlroy.

“He doesn’t have a great Saturday. Why do you want to speak to him on Saturday when Scheffler’s just played five of the greatest holes you’ll ever see.

“There were one or two other players in contention that many thought wouldn’t be in contention. These are interesting stories. A lot of golf fans wouldn’t know who Davis Riley is or who Jhonattan Vegas is. Let’s hear from them. Why do you want to talk to Rory? There’s nothing to say in these situations.

“If he’s up there first, second and third, I fully understand it you want to know how he’s feeling, how he’s playing, what great shots he’s hit. Not when he’s 107th.

“I’m on McIlroy’s side for that.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.