Rory McIlroy. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

How long can Rory McIlroy avoid the press amid Senate hearing?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/15/23

At least on the surface, Rory McIlroy looks like he's having a good time.

McIlroy -- the world-ranked No. 3 golfer and arguably the face of the PGA Tour -- was all smiles on Wednesday as cameras chronicled him having a long drive competition with 19-year-old amateur Ruben Lindsay ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open.

That appears to be his prerogative these days as the Senate subcommittee hearing involving the PGA and rogue circuit LIV Golf dominates news cycles: Keep things light on the links and keep the focus on the tournament in front of him.

Now it's just a matter of how long he can keep that up.

Rory McIlroy and Ruben Lindsay had a long drive competition:

Rory: 188mph — 352 yards
Ruben: 195mph — 374 yards

pic.twitter.com/lMqBEZVtw4
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 12, 2023

The Irishman has taken a noticeable step away from doing pre-tournament press conferences, no doubt so he doesn't have to repeat once a week how much he "still hates LIV." Even as top golfers such as Scottie Scheffler addressed the press this week at The Renaissance Club, McIlroy isn't spending time in front of microphones. And keeping the focus on his game has shown through as he finished second at the U.S. Open and T7 at the Travelers Championship.

So it will be interesting to see what happens ahead of the Open Championship, where McIlroy is scheduled to speak to the press ahead of a major he is favored to win. There will no doubt be questions about some of the bombshells that have already come out of the Senate hearing -- mainly the defunct proposal that he and Tiger Woods would captain and play for LIV Golf teams.

For the time being, it looks like McIlroy can avoid being grilled on the PGA-LIV fiasco for at least a little bit longer. But the world is going to hear from him soon enough, and it's anyone's guess what he'll say this time around.

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