Rory McIlroy Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Is Rory McIlroy avoiding the press ahead of U.S. Open?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 6/12/23

With the 2023 U.S. Open set to tee off in just a few days, the top golfers are expected to put in some face time with the media. And given all the news that has emerged from the golf world over the last week, the golf press is no doubt wanting some quality face time with some of the sport's loudest voices -- especially if that voice belongs to Rory McIlroy.

But that meeting doesn't appear to be happening, as Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig reported on Monday that McIlroy's name had been removed from the media availability list for Tuesday.

Is the world No. 3 avoiding talking to reporters ahead of the U.S. Open?

Rory was scheduled to do media on Tuesday morning at LACC. Name no longer on the list. Would not be surprised if some players shut down questions about the big topic outside the ropes
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) June 12, 2023

While a reason for McIlroy's sudden absence hasn't readily been made public, there are some educated guesses as to why he won't take the podium on Tuesday. The most popular of those, no doubt, is that McIlroy wants to focus on his game at Los Angeles Country Club and not be bombarded with questions about the PGA Tour's proposal to join forces with LIV Golf.

The four-time major winner was candid last week when asked about the shocking news that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf could all be under the same umbrella. After previously saying that he wants to get away from the hoopla and focus on getting his golf game back on track, it is entirely possible he's avoiding a media circus in favor of making what he does on the links the top priority.

Of course, this won't be the last time golfers get grilled about the whole PGA-LIV thing. The concept of combining all three golf leagues is still only in the proposal stage and a lot has to happen before this massive merger can become a done deal. So even if McIlroy avoids speaking to the media ahead of the U.S. Open, there is no doubt he will be asked about it again -- and again and again -- over the busy summer stretch of the golf season.

The 2023 U.S. Open tees off from Los Angeles Country Club on Thursday.

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