Rory McIlroy said the weekend conditions at the Arnold Palmer Invitational were like “crazy golf” and admitted to feeling “punch drunk” after shooting back-to-back 76s. The Northern Irishman was two shots clear of the field after his opening seven-under-par 65, but finished tied 13th on 1-over as Scottie Scheffler won his second PGA Tour title of the season on 5-under-par.
McIlroy has called for changes to be made to the set up at Bay Hill or risk more players skipping the Arnold Palmer Invitational in future. He feels the combination of fast greens, thick rough and windy conditions unfairly penalises players to the extent that more and more will miss the event in favour of preparing for The Players Championship, which starts this week at TPC Sawgrass.
“They need to do something about it,” said the four-time Major winner. “There's a lot of guys that sort of stay away this week to get ready for next week. Next week's become such a big event, $20million purse. The four Majors are sacred in this game, but it's very close to being among them with the way it's going.
“I think it's just a golf course set up issue and maybe just trying to make it a little less penal when you miss, I guess. Or not even less penal when you miss. I don't mind golf courses being penal when you miss, but it's not rewarding good shots. I think that's where it starts to get across the line.
“It makes you feel as if you're not playing as good as you are. Like I'm playing good. I'm hitting good shots. I'm swinging the club well. I'm chipping well. I'm putting well. But it can knock your confidence whenever the conditions are like this.
“I'm certainly playing better than shooting 8-over over the weekend. It's just a matter of trying to regroup and forget about this week, and next week's going to be a completely different test.”
Scheffler’s winning mark of five-under-par was the highest in relation to par since Jon Rahm won the BMW Championship with a four-under-par total in 2020.
-
US Open Betting Tips And Odds: Final Round PicksWho are we picking to win the 2025 US Open?
-
LIV Golf Carlos Ortiz Said He ‘Deserved’ To Be At US Open… A Year On And He’s Contending To Win ItA year ago, Carlos Ortiz claimed he warranted a place in the US Open field - now, he's in the mix to take the title at Oakmont
-
What Is Going On With Rory McIlroy?The World No.2 discussed why he has been skipping media more frequently as of late after his 74 on Saturday at Oakmont
-
Which Male Golfer Currently Has The Most Consecutive Major Starts?Consistency is what every professional golfer strives for, alongside playing in as many Majors as possible, and one man is clear at the top of the most consecutive starts, but who is it?
-
Rory McIlroy Head And Shoulders Clear Of US Open Field In Surprising Driving Distance ChartThe Masters champion has been driving it very well at Oakmont so far, ranking 11th in SG: Off the tee and sitting a full 36 yards clear of the field in average distance
-
WATCH: Rory McIlroy Launches Club Before Smashing Tee MarkerDuring the second round at the 2025 US Open, a frustrated Rory McIlroy launched a club and broke a tee marker at Oakmont Country Club, as he just made the cut
-
Rory McIlroy Continues To Skip Media... And It's Not A Good LookMcIlroy has not spoken to the press after any of his first rounds in the three Majors so far this year after once again skipping media at the US Open
-
The Stats That Show Rory McIlroy Shouldn't Be Overlooked At OakmontRory McIlroy has drifted in the markets for the US Open after missing the cut last week, but history suggests he may be worth keeping on side at Oakmont
-
From Shooting 81 To Playing Tennis And Changing His Driver Again - 5 Things Rory McIlroy Said Ahead Of The 2025 US OpenThe five-time Major winner touched on a number of subjects in his press conference ahead of the US Open
-
Rory McIlroy Changes Driver Again Ahead Of US OpenAfter claiming he would be doing some driver testing following the RBC Canadian Open last week, McIlroy was spotted using his faithful TaylorMade Qi10 driver during a practice round at Oakmont
