Overview

• McIlroy declined all post-round interviews at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open after winning the Masters, citing frustration over a leaked non-conforming driver detail
• At the Travelers Championship, he said he “sees the need” for media to report birdies and bogeys but reserved the right to decide when to engage
• Social media personality Paige Spiranac defended his choice as a personal right, while commentator Brandel Chamblee warned ongoing silence could affect his legacy
• Observers have contrasted McIlroy’s approach with Greg Norman’s decision to face questions after his 1996 Masters collapse, highlighting different notions of sportsmanship
• His stance reflects a broader shift in professional sports as athletes assert more control over their visibility and media obligations