Rory McIlroy smashes tee marker and throws club in furious US Open meltdown as he issues three-word media snub
McIlroy has made a testing start at Pinehurst and his frustration only grew on day two
Rory McIlroy left his frustrations get the better of him by throwing his golf club and smashing his tee marker following his disappointing start at the US Open.
McIlroy came into this week aiming for a sixth major title and his second US Open, having narrowly missed out to Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst No. 2 last year.
However, it's been a far from ideal start for the Northern Irishman, who recorded a four-over-par 74 in the first round.
In need of a strong recovery on the second day, his round began disastrously with two double bogeys in his first three holes.
As the cut line started to drift away, McIlroy finally managed a much-needed birdie at the par-four ninth, undoubtedly hoping for more as he made the turn. A par followed at the 10th, but his temper flared just two holes later.
After a superb tee shot down the middle of the fairway of the 12th, McIlroy aimed to reach the par-five in two, but a wayward second shot sent his ball into the thick rough to the left of the hole. Clearly annoyed, the world No 2 angrily threw his club.
Regaining his composure, he then scored a birdie at the 15th to get within reach of the weekend, but his Friday was far from over.
Standing on the achievable par-four 17th, McIlroy pulled his shot left and vented his frustrations on the tee box, breaking it with his club.
McIlroy scraped through with a par after deftly chipping out of the bunker and sinking two putts, teetering on the edge of the cut line with just one hole remaining.
When the cut loomed around seven-over, a birdie at the 18th ensured McIlroy's place in the weekend action, leaving him six-over for the tournament and tied for 45th with a dozen others going into moving day.
It's been yet another taxing week for McIlroy, who still appears to be riding the wave from his Masters victory. His win at Augusta National entered the annals of golf history, making him one of only six players to claim all four major titles.
Following the end of his second round, at Pinehurst, media outlet GolfDigest reported that the Irishman then snubbed a question about his media availability as he headed to the clubhouse from the scorer's room, telling a USPGA official: "No, I'm good".
It's the sixth round at the major on the spin that McIlroy has declined interview requests, although he did conduct a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the US Open getting underway.
Rich Lerner, host of Golf Channel's Live From with Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee, could see the frustrations get the better of McIlroy as top stars struggled as he said: 'We've had guys who have been p***d off, Rory banging his club.' Chamblee added: "It's been bizarre. I think the guys are just resigned to the fact it's been difficult.'
McGinley says cites incoming rain at Oakmont and potential mudballs which caused unrest at the PGA Championship as another reason why the players are going to hot under the collar and continued: 'Another source of frustration. Another reason for the term war of attrition.'
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