Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion and world No. 2, has exhibited unusual media reticence during the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.

His media silence began at the PGA Championship in May 2025, where he refused to speak after each round due to frustration over leaked information regarding his failed driver test.

Since winning the Masters in April 2025, McIlroy has not spoken to the media, continuing his trend of avoiding reporters.

This silence has shifted the media atmosphere around him, with reporters increasingly anticipating his comments.

During the first round of the U.S. Open on June 12, 2025, McIlroy had a disappointing performance, finishing at four-over par.

He initially performed well, reaching 2-under par, but struggled on the back nine to finish eight strokes behind leader J.J. Spaun.

While he played the easier back nine bogey-free at two under, he faced significant challenges on the tougher front nine, accumulating six over par.

Key mistakes during his round included a triple bogey on the par-5 4th and a double bogey on the par-3 8th, highlighting his struggles with iron shots and putting.

Despite the tumultuous round, McIlroy expressed a desire to enjoy the game more, stating his goal for the year is to have more fun and manage his time effectively.

Looking ahead, McIlroy is expected to participate in the Ryder Cup, having had mixed results in prior tournaments since his Masters victory.

Unlike athletes in the NFL and NBA, golfers like McIlroy are not contractually required to speak with the media after their rounds.

After finishing his round, McIlroy opted not to speak with the media, continuing his trend of selective communication during this tournament.