Rory McIlroy battled back to make the cut at the PGA Championship on Friday, after posting a second-round 67 at Aronimink.
McIlroy was really out of form during his first round at Aronimink on Thursday, shooting a round of four-over-par 74.
He showed his class on day two of the PGA Championship, going round the incredibly challenging layout in three-under par, without making a single bogey.
However, that class seemingly wasn’t on display in the media center after Rory McIlroy‘s second round at Aronimink.
McIlroy finished with four consecutive bogeys on day one at the PGA, but strangely, he seemed more frustrated after going bogey-free in his second round.
He will obviously be happy where he is sitting on the leaderboard after two rounds at the PGA Championship, following his struggles on day one.
However, the Northern Irishman is quite clearly not a big fan of the way that the PGA of America has set up the golf course this week.
Golf fans label Rory McIlroy as ‘spoiled’ after his comments at Aronimink
Following his second round, McIlroy criticized the setup at Aronimink, labelling it as ‘not great’.
“Yeah, um, I was — the only thing I would say is, I think a bunched leaderboard like this, I think it’s a sign of not a great setup,“ McIlroy said
“I think when it’s as bunched as it is, because it hasn’t really enabled anyone to separate themselves. It’s like, you know, it’s easy to make a ton of pars, hard to make birdies, and not that it’s hard to make bogey, but it feels like bogey’s the worst score you’re going to shoot on any one hole.
“There’s not a lot of hazards. There’s not, you know — yeah, I think the setup is fine, like the golf course is good, the pins were tough, and the wind was what it was as well.
“But I just think, yeah, I’ve always felt like really good setups, it starts to spread the field a bit, and not great setups sort of bring everyone together. I feel like that’s what’s happened the last two days.“
It’s no surprise that there was a really strong reaction from golf fans in response to those comments on social media on Friday night.
“This man is totally spoiled he thinks every course should be to his standards. Well, I’m afraid a golf course is not like that, as the majority will testify, sore loser,“ one fan exclaimed.
And many golf fans echoed a similar sentiment with comments stating, “I would say it’s the complete opposite of everything he just said,“ and, “Think he should have reserved those comments until after moving day, where they usually set it up to give you a chance.“
One golf fan fumed: “I’m a big Rory fan, but complaining about a course set up that’s led to a ‘bunched leaderboard’ isn’t a great look. Just play the course in front of you.“
Meanwhile, another golf fan took aim at McIlroy’s ‘pathetic’ comments, saying: “This is totally pathetic from Rory. His comments actually make no sense at all.“
The comments kept coming…
“He’s playing bad and the course is humbling people like him. This is what fans want,“ one fan exclaimed, while another said: “The setup has given us a tight leaderboard and more entertainment. Rory is mad he is not near the top of the leaderboard.“
Golf fans relentlessly criticize Rory McIlroy’s comments
One fan questioned McIlroy’s logic, saying: “I mean, isn’t that proving the opposite? No one can separate. Course is hard. You better take your par and move on?“
Another fan suggested he is loving every minute of this year’s PGA Championship: “As a fan I love it. What he sees as bad, the fan sees as entertaining. It’s boring watching players just annihilate courses.“
“PGA Tour players not being able to score well is literally the sign of a great course setup,“ one golf fan sarcastically claimed.
One fan seemed to take real offence, saying, “Wrong! This exactly what makes a great tournament. Rory objects because the course was not set up for him. The Masters was set up for him to draw ratings on a repeat. Cry harder.“
Further swipes were taken at McIlroy, with comments stating: “Guy was given the perfect course conditions no wind compared to the morning wave and still complains. Surely no one being able to separate themselves is the sign of a good set up? It’ll keep many in contention then the best player in the field will emerge come Sunday evening,“ and, “Imagine a LIV player saying that. Rory has zero accountability by press.“
There were hundreds more messages criticising Rory McIlroy for the comments he made after his second round at the PGA Championship.
It’s fair to say that golf fans were not impressed one little bit by the six-time major champion’s remarks.
The overwhelming fan sentiment this week is that the PGA of America have absolutely nailed it with their setup of the golf course at Aronimink.
McIlroy obviously has his own opinion on the matter, but he appears to be in the minority.