Rory McIlroy brutally slaps down US Open coach for 'giving away secrets' in tense five-word TV exchange
Rory McIlroy, the golfing ace from Northern Ireland, was less than pleased during a tense TV interview
Rory McIlroy, the golfing ace from Northern Ireland, was less than pleased during a tense TV interview on Saturday, accusing his coach of spilling the beans. He's trailing behind leader Bryson DeChambeau by three strokes going into the US Open's final round, having scored a -1 in the third round.
Despite a stellar start to his career with four major wins by age 25, McIlroy - who suddenly called off his divorce from wife Erica Stoll - hasn't clinched a major since the PGA Championship in 2014. Yet, he's eyeing up a chance for another US Open victory, aiming to repeat his 2011 triumph at Maryland's Congressional Country Club.
McIlroy kicked off this year's US Open on a high note, sharing the lead after a five-under-par first day. However, he slipped in Round 2, finishing two-over-par, and managed a one-under-par in Round 3.
Post-play on Saturday, Sky Sports' Kira K Dixon caught up with the 35 year old for a chat. During the interview, Dixon mentioned that McIlroy's putting coach Brad Faxon had let slip about a "eureka moment" on NBC, where Faxon was serving as an analyst.
"Our NBC colleague Brad Faxon was saying on the broadcast that you had a bit of a eureka moment on the plane from the Memorial Tournament back home," Dixon relayed to McIlroy, reports the Express.
"You figured something out, you got up and you were making some practice swings apparently. Is this true and what is the eureka moment?"
McIlroy seemed surprised by Dixon's remarks, pausing before responding: "Okay. Erm, it may be true. I don't know if I want to disclose it right now. It's nice to know that Fax is sort of giving away all of our secrets."
Dixon downplayed Faxon's disclosure, hinting the coach "didn't say what it was."
McIlroy continued: "No, I know, I know. But we spend a lot of time on planes and I spend a lot of time thinking about my game in the air. Sometimes things come to me."