Paige Spiranac has urged fans to show some compassion towards Rory McIlroy after the golfer endured a heartbreak at a major championship.
Leading the US Open by two strokes with only five holes to play, McIlroy seemed set for his first major win in ten years. But gut-wrenching misses on short par putts in the 16th and 18th holes meant that he watched the title slip away amid the intense pressure.
It was Bryson DeChambeau who stepped up in the nail-biting final moments of the Open, confidently sinking a four-footer on the 18th to clinch his second major title, adding to his 2020 success at Winged Foot in New York.
- Wimbledon 2024: Iga Swiatek Brutally Snubbed for Coco Gauff and Former Champion Elena Rybakina in Serious Analysis
- Is Peak Iga here to stay? Swiatek riding high through another clay swing
As for McIlroy, his pursuit of major success continues to elude him, extending a drought that dates back to his last victory at the 2014 US PGA Championship.
In the wake of the tournament, McIlroy, visibly shaken, appeared to opt out of the presentation ceremony and avoided engaging with the media. Fore Play shared footage on social media which saw McIlroy leave the scene soon after DeChambeau’s winning putt, with the caption noting: “Rory declined an interview and left almost immediately after the final putt dropped.”
Fans were quick to criticize Rory McIlroy for his swift departure after his loss, slamming him on social media for poor sportsmanship.
Another added their voice, commenting: “So much less likeable than Bryson.” The Daily Star highlighted further backlash as one fan noted: “Not a good look,” while another expressed disappointment: “I like Rory, but this is a poor way to lose.”
In contrast, Paige Spiranac, the American social media star and former pro golfer, defended McIlroy, urging people to “cut him a break” following his tough loss on Sunday.
Spiranac shared her support in a post: “Hot take but I don’t care when athletes do this. He gave us everything he had on the course and gave us such an entertaining day. I feel for Rory right now and can’t even imagine how he’s feeling. Cut him a break.”
Her followers seemed to agree, with one saying: “Yeah, no biggie. He’s obviously upset with his play today… He has every right to be done and not want to talk,” and another concurred: “I’m with Paige on this one.”
Spiranac, a fervent golfer, first stepped into the professional scene on the Cactus Tour at Arizona’s Las Colinas Club in 2016. She managed to secure her only tour victory by defeating top-ranked amateur Hannah O’Sullivan.
Despite this achievement, she is more known for her social media presence, boasting 4 million followers on Instagram with her golf-themed posts.
