Rory McIlroy Receives ‘Cruel’ Insults from Major Champ

Rory McIlroy recently found himself on the receiving end of a cutting remark from tennis legend John McEnroe during the U.S. Open. The golf star, who is enjoying some downtime after a grueling season on the PGA Tour, became the subject of a harsh comment regarding his struggles in major tournaments.

McIlroy, a four-time major champion, has not secured one of golf’s biggest titles since his victory at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Although he came close in 2024, he was unable to end his decade-long drought. One of the more painful moments came at the U.S. Open, where McIlroy appeared poised to win but faltered down the stretch, making three bogeys in his last four holes at Pinehurst No. 2 and letting the chance slip away.

Despite his frustrations in golf, McIlroy is a known tennis enthusiast and was spotted at the U.S. Open in New York, enjoying the semi-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium. As cameras panned to the 35-year-old during the match between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, ESPN commentator Chris Fowler introduced McIlroy to the audience, referring to him as a “multiple major winner.”

That’s when McEnroe, never shy about expressing his opinion, delivered his blunt response: “Been a long time though.”

McEnroe’s remark immediately caught the attention of fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sparking a lively debate among golf enthusiasts. Some took offense at McEnroe’s words, especially given McIlroy’s reputation and competitive success, while others found humor in the tennis icon’s candid comment.

Here’s a sample of the fan reactions:

– “Did John McEnroe really have to bring up Rory’s choke job?”
– “That’s a bit rich coming from that gobby numpty!”
– “That guy is a first-class f—ing p—-.”
– “What a hater.”

McIlroy, however, is unlikely to be rattled by the jab, as he continues to be one of golf’s leading players. His year hasn’t been without its highlights, and fans will be treated to another showcase of his talents later this year.

Earlier in the week, it was announced that McIlroy will participate in a high-profile televised match alongside PGA Tour World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The duo will face off against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, both of whom are stars in the rival LIV Golf League. This matchup is a rare opportunity for fans to watch four of golf’s top players go head-to-head outside of the majors.

With the rivalry between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour in full swing, this contest will certainly be an anticipated showdown, as meetings between top players from both leagues have been scarce since LIV Golf’s launch two years ago. Fans of both sports will be eagerly watching, not only for McIlroy’s skills but to see how he responds to the pressure—on and off the golf course.