A paved courtyard a little in front of the striker’s office at the Quail Hollow Club was the setting for difficult scenes last month.
These stones have seen more advanced advances than the days of this writer on a disco dance floor.
had sent a journalist and a cameraman to the site of the PGA championship in North Carolina for the week, an important transatlantic expenditure at that time of sportsudesk budgets still tight.
But Rory McILroy was emerging from his magnificent Grand Slam moment in a career in Augusta and the levels of interest justified expenses.
On Saturday afternoon, when McILroy refused all media dance requests for a third consecutive day, the men of the Beeb had at least the consolation of Tom McKibbi shortly after.
The 22-year-old had done the weekend at his beginnings in the second major of the year. As an apprentice to his compatriot Master Holywood, he could have some ideas on many fronts. Everything was not lost.
It was until McKibbin also refused media demand. Back to dance by yourself, the boys.
On his credit, McKibbin spoke every two days. McILroy, of course, left Quail Hollow without having appeared after the Tour in front of a microphone.
Thursday, lunchtime in Oakmont, the world No. 2 again declared no to media requests after opening its US Open account with a 4 against 74.
For those who count, it is now five consecutive laps at the major championships where McILroy gave the press the silent treatment.
Before thinking that it is a plea of naval self-importance for someone, whoever thinks of sports journalists, let’s be clear: this is not our goal.
Professional golfers no doubt play the most oppressive sport mentally. To expect that they are moving away from the 18th and instantly recite poetry on the pain they have just felt is unrealistic and perhaps even unfair.
Whether you report on the spot from one of these big weeks or the lower stops on tour, a common habit is to check how the player you can’t wait to finish his round. Birdie out of 18?
The form should be good. By? We will be fine. Bogey? Hmmm could be risky. Double or triple? Maybe we can leave the cat until tomorrow.
This approach is not shared by everyone in the center of the media, of course.
There has probably never been so many focus and as many disseminations of dissemination, written and social media for the main lights of the game and some of the journalistic skills can leave much to be desired.
Thursday afternoon, the amateur Matthew Vogt entered the Oakmont interview tent after shooting a 1222. The first request from the press pack was as follows: “Matt, talk about everything?”
It was an equally lazy question that turned on the anguish of Shane Lowry in Augusta when he rightly bristled to ask him for his point of view on Rory McILroy while he was still dealing with his own master prospects.
Between Lowry, McILroy and Collin Morikawa come on the subject, it was a season when it looks a lot like a problem with the head.
Paul McGinley has established himself as one of the most respected experts on tour in recent times with his Appearances alongside Brandel Chamblee making an often essential vision.
After McILroy had become silent Thursday, the former captain of the Ryder Cup had his point of view.
“I think the error does not reside so much with Rory or Morikawa or anyone who does not (speak to the media),” insisted McGinley. “The error lies in the golf course and why does golf not impose these guys to (speak)? They play at ridiculously high prices. They must give back a little.
During his reappearance on tour last week in Canada, McILroy addressed his hunting media comrades. The chatter around its non -compliant driver had not helped. But in response to a request for McILroy also added that “some days you don’t want to talk”.
As often the case with the 36-year-old player, forever one of the most available and open speakers in the game, there seems to be something more strategic here too.
The fact that players are not currently contractually forced to speak is something that, according to him, should change.
“If we all wanted, we could get around the guys and go to social networks and do it in our own way,” he said. “We understand that it is not ideal for you and there is a greater dynamic at stake here. I talk to you a lot. I think there should be an understanding that it is a double -meaning street.
“But I have been beating this drum for a long time. If they want to make it compulsory, it is good. But in our rules, it is said that this is not the case, and until the day when it may be written in the regulations, you will blow up guys from time to time.”
However, it remains a delicate moment for sport. It is striking that this week in Pittsburgh, the two most engaging press conferences came from golfers of Liv, the sessions of Jon Rahm and Bryson Dechambeau in the tent were great to watch and listen.
After his impressive opening around Brooks Koepka, not particularly one of the most eloquent speakers in the game, was nevertheless happy to go deeply over a few very difficult months for him.
As much as Dechambeau has exploited For a remarkable effect, transforming into the man of at least some, there is always a place for all types of media. We are finally a communication channel with the rest of the people.
Talk about everything? No, it’s not the way. But it is surely not too much to talk about something.
