2024 was a painful year for Rory McIlory (Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has been vocal about his treatment from certain parts of the media – and he has Tommy Fleetwood’s support on the matter. Back in December, 35-year-old McIlroy lamented what he feels is the press’ tendency to not only focus on his failures but continually remind him of that pain.
The previous year was fraught for McIlroy as he narrowly missed out on securing He came tantalisingly close to winning the US Open last June, only to be
Around six months later, McIlroy confronted reporters for only focussing on his disappointments, rather than the many highs in his career. And when asked about the Northern Irishman’s thoughts, Fleetwood could not agree more with his fellow British counterpart.
Speaking at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai last November, Fleetwood said: “Of course, Rory is held to a higher standard than pretty much everybody else in the world of golf. But I think he’s shown amazing golf again this year, and he’s shown why he’s one of the best to ever do it.
“Of course, I think it’s easy for everyone to look at what could have happened if things go a little different way. But at the same time, you only get to talk about those things if he is consistently up there with a chance of winning week-in, week-out.
“He’s shown amazing consistency. So close to winning a major, so close to winning a bunch of events while winning a few at the same time.”
Lashing out at his critics in December, McIlroy’s irritation bubbled over during an interview with Sky Sports where he expressed annoyance at constant reminders of his past disappointments. He said: “I think what the hard thing is in my position is your disappointments and your mistakes keep getting brought up to you every time that you get in front of a camera or you’re in a press conference or answering questions.
McIlroy has a friend in Fleetwood (Image: Getty)
“At the same time, I am in a very fortunate position that this is what I get to do for a living. If I have to deal with what people deem are unfair expectations or are held to a higher standard than others, then so be it.
“I feel like that’s a very privileged position to be in. I’d much rather have it this way than if people didn’t really care about what I was doing on the golf course.
“It’s hard because on one hand, I sit here and I’m proud of what I’ve done this year, but then on the other hand I sit here and I am disappointed because of the ones I’ve let get away.”
McIlroy has entered 2025 in top form, seizing victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am by two clear shots, leaving competitors like Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Sepp Straka trailing in his wake. This impressive start follows his 2024 victories at the Dubai Desert Classic, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with partner Lowry, and the Wells Fargo Championship title.