Rory McIlroy’s behavior after winning the 2025 Masters Championship has raised concern and confusion among fans and commentators alike. At the U.S. Open shortly after his victory, McIlroy displayed uncharacteristic actions such as throwing clubs, damaging tee markers, and delivering combative remarks during his press conference. These incidents have led many to question what is driving Rory McIlroy bizarre behavior after Masters victory, especially as his performance dipped to a tied 19th place finish. Observers suspect that there may be deeper issues affecting the golfer beyond his game.

Reflecting on his recent achievements, McIlroy himself remarked,

I climbed my Everest in April. I think after you do something like that, you’ve got to make your way back down, and you’ve got to look for another mountain to climb.

This suggests he is grappling with what comes next after reaching a major career milestone. With less communication to the media and increasingly strained relations with reporters, the golf community is expressing growing concern for McIlroy’s emotional state and future focus.

Speculation on Jay Monahan’s Role in McIlroy’s Recent Attitude Shift

Golf analyst Frankie Borrelli voiced suspicions during the Fore Play Podcast Plus that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan might have influenced Rory McIlroy’s recent erratic behavior. Borrelli observed that McIlroy’s actions seemed particularly strange after the Masters win, explaining,

Maybe he’s just like, ‘F**k y’all, I did it, and I’ve been waiting to tell you to go f**k yourself until I won it.’

McIlroy’s own words after the third round of the U.S. Open seemed to echo this sentiment:

I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah

. This attitude suggests McIlroy might feel justified in distancing himself from media and traditional expectations.

Borrelli further speculated that a private conflict involving Monahan could be contributing to the tension, especially considering the ongoing debate between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. He questioned,

Did something happen with Monahan behind closed doors?

This is particularly relevant as negotiations between the two organizations have been publicly unstable.

Tensions Evident in PGA Tour and LIV Golf Talks, Affecting McIlroy’s Outlook

The relationship between McIlroy and Monahan has been complicated by differing public stances on the potential PGA-LIV merger. While Monahan expressed optimism after a meeting with former President Donald Trump, calling it a constructive working session that

ultimately gets us one step closer to a deal being done

, McIlroy expressed skepticism. The champion said,

the landscape looks a little different

and further remarked,

I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal,

indicating a lack of alignment with Monahan’s confident tone.

McIlroy also pointed to delays in negotiations, blaming parties such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF):

I think it takes two to tango,

and

it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer,

implying the deal’s progress is stalled. Meanwhile, Monahan insisted that his cautious remarks reflect the complexity of the discussions rather than a drop in confidence, saying,

It doesn’t speak to my confidence level, it speaks to the moment

.

Golf Analysts Note Impact of McIlroy’s Media Silence on Public Perception

Sam Riggs Bozoian, another voice in golf commentary, described McIlroy’s recent conduct as weird. He argued that if McIlroy were more consistent with media engagement, the public’s view would be more favorable.

If after each round at the PGA, he just did media for five minutes and was his normal self…I think all the public perception of him right now would be great,

Bozoian said. Instead, McIlroy’s choice to avoid press and issue profane responses has increased scrutiny and criticism.

Bozoian concluded that McIlroy

could be doing a victory tour right now

celebrating his Masters success but instead appears to be

bringing all this scrutiny on himself for no reason.

This negative cycle has raised alarms beyond commentators; former Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley has also shared concerns about McIlroy’s behavior.

Paul McGinley Sees Signs of Deep Frustration in McIlroy

Paul McGinley openly expressed disappointment after observing McIlroy’s media avoidance and sharp tone, particularly during the U.S. Open. When asked if McIlroy was avoiding media, the golfer responded,

No, not really. It’s more a frustration with you guys,

which McGinley found troubling. He said,

I didn’t enjoy them. I don’t like to see that. I think Rory’s better than that.

McGinley believes that Rory’s current demeanor does not represent the true nature of the athlete and suspects there is an underlying cause.

The former Ryder Cup captain remarked,

Something is eating at him. He hasn’t let us know what it is, but there’s something not right.

According to McGinley, McIlroy looks fed up and appears to have had enough of everything. The change in behavior is concerning given McIlroy’s usual composure and professionalism, and McGinley warned that such actions send the wrong example to fans.

Experts and Insiders Question What Lies Beneath McIlroy’s Recent Unrest

With Rory McIlroy reducing his media presence and showing signs of frustration, questions remain about whether this is a temporary reaction after his Masters success or indicative of deeper personal struggles. The tension between McIlroy and Jay Monahan, combined with the uncertain future of the PGA-LIV partnership, may be fueling the golfer’s unease.

As McIlroy himself indicated a need to find “another mountain to climb” after conquering his career pinnacle, his current behavior reflects an athlete wrestling with both external pressures and internal conflict. The future of his professional relationships and his public demeanor will likely hinge on developments in tour negotiations and his personal ability to manage success.

Observers and insiders will continue watching McIlroy closely to see if he can regain stability and focus following this turbulent period, as his current actions have sparked anxiety and concern both on and off the course.