GOLF · 1 year ago

Brooks Koepka Accuses Media of Double Standard with Rory McIlroy

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

Brooks Koepka Accuses Media of Double Standard with Rory McIlroy

Brooks Koepka has voiced his frustrations over what he perceives as double standards in media treatment between himself and Rory McIlroy, subtly taking aim at the world No. 3. At the U.S. Open, Koepka began his campaign with a promising three birdies through the first 10 holes. However, his round took a turn for the worse on the back nine, where he recorded three bogeys in four holes, finishing even par as he heads into the second round.

While many of his peers engaged with the media following their rounds, Koepka chose a different path. He declined traditional media interviews, opting instead for a ‘text interview’ with Golfweek columnist Eamon Lynch. This candid, combative, and unfiltered interview was later published, where Koepka expressed that repetitive and uninspired questions, rather than frustration, influenced his decision to avoid the media scrum. When Lynch suggested that Koepka was ‘asking for a pity party,’ Koepka countered, “That’s a stretch. Rory didn’t talk to media at LACC [in the 2023 U.S. Open] and everyone was talking about how it’s because he wants to focus.

“The second I do it, I’m mad at media, which isn’t true. I just didn’t want to do it. But my narrative will be I’m mad at media.”

In the course of their exchange, Lynch pointed out that while McIlroy skipped press conferences and post-round interviews after the first round of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, he did speak with the media over the next three days, ultimately finishing second behind Wyndham Clark, who secured his first major title. When asked if he would engage with the media in the final three days, Koepka seemingly took a dig at McIlroy, replying, “If I feel like it, yeah. When you have five majors, you can skip another day if ya want. LOL.”

Koepka’s remarks underscore his ongoing tension with the media and highlight the complexities of his relationship with both the press and his peers. As he moves into the next rounds, the focus will not only be on his performance but also on whether he chooses to address the media, potentially setting the stage for more pointed commentary.