Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has defended Rory McIlroy after he snubbed reporters as his tilt at a first major championship in a decade ended in heartbreak at the US Open.
The Northern Irishman appeared to be in position to end his ten-year drought as he led proceedings at Pinehurst by two strokes as just five holes remained. However, the four-time major winner’s challenge collapsed with a pair of missed putts inside four feet on the 16th and 18th as victory slipped through his fingers.
His struggles during the final four holes effectively saw the pendulum swing back the way of Bryson DeChambeau as the American secured a second US Open title of his career. As fate took a cruel twist for McIlroy, it now remains to be seen whether the 35-year-old will end his long hoodoo – with his last major win coming in the PGA Championship in 2014.