Rory McIlroy has made his frustrations with the media clear in recent weeks, but his actions have been called out by the acclaimed author writing a book on the Masters champion’s career

Rory McIlroy’s relationship with the media has become fractured in recent weeks(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

The author writing a book about Rory McIlroy has addressed the five-time major champion’s “existential crisis” and sudden abrasiveness with the media since winning the Masters.

McIlroy completed his lifelong mission and rounded off the career Grand Slam at Augusta National in April, ending a decade-long major championship drought in the process. The universal consensus was that shedding the Masters monkey from his back would free him from years of mental baggage and enable him to enjoy new levels of freedom and confidence on the golf course.

But the weeks and months since that unforgettable Sunday in Georgia have been curious, to say the least. McIlroy has cut a dejected figure on the course, and his performance levels have steeply declined after an inspired start to the year.

The 36-year-old declined to speak to reporters after all four rounds of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last month, where he finished in a tie for 47th.

After speaking to reporters after missing the cut at the Canadian Open earlier this month, McIlroy resumed his snub of the media for the first two rounds of the U.S. Open at Oakmont before giving interviews after his final two rounds, which saw him go home with a share of 19th place.

McIlroy has made clear his annoyance that details of his driver failing a standard United States Golf Association (USGA) test ahead of the PGA Championship were leaked to the media, with testing results supposed to be kept anonymous.

Shipnuck (right) interviews Ian Poulter and McIlroy during the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah(Image: Getty Images)

Despite admitting he was “p—– off” about the situation and getting a few things off his chest, McIlroy continues to lack his trademark charm and enthusiasm in his dealings with the media.

The situation has bemused Alan Shipnuck, the acclaimed author of ‘LIV and Let Die’ and a bombshell biography of Phil Mickelson. The author’s next book charts the ups and downs of McIlroy’s stellar career, and he has had his say on the Northern Irishman’s manner since donning the Green Jacket.

“It’s been fascinating to watch this existential crisis he’s going through since the Masters,” Shipnuck told the ‘Indo Sports’ podcast. “And, you know, everyone has a theory. I think there’s a few things going on, you know. He has talked about it, it’s just the letdown of chasing this dream.

“But you know, when Phil won the Masters in 2004 to break through after a dozen years of being the best player without a major. All of the questions about him. That was as cathartic a win as Rory’s was. And Phil just kept going; he had his best year that year. You don’t have to have a huge letdown.

“Rory’s an emotional player, just like Phil was. And I think he’s out of emotion. He just looks so flat on the golf course, and off the golf course.

“It’s an interesting point, this churlish version of Rory. Is this the real Rory? And for 18 years, it has been this incredible facade where he always said and did the right thing.

“He was so widely admired and so classy and everyone loved him. We thought that was the real Rory, but was that all pretend and now we’re seeing the real Rory? It makes your head spin thinking about how much he has changed in such a short period of time.”

McIlroy was asked to clarify his thoughts on the golf media’s role after an impressive six-under-par start to the Travelers Championshp on Thursday. He said: “I’m not a journalist. I don’t know. Report the birdies and bogeys, I guess.

“And, obviously, you have to – the storylines sort of write themselves for the most part. But yeah, I certainly see the need for it and see the need for the platform.

“I’ve never argued that. But I just think nowadays there’s so many different ways to consume sports and entertainment. It certainly isn’t the only avenue to get your sports news and information.”

Shipnuck added that McIlroy is harming his relationship with supporters by engaging less with the media, and it is the huge interest and support of fans across the globe that has made him so wealthy and globally recognized.

“The thing that’s lost in this debate about the media is that nobody cares about the tender feelings of self-important reporters. He walks by us, and some guys are personally indigent. That doesn’t matter. But we are the stand-ins for the fans,” Shipnuck explained.

“Our job is to represent the fans and ask the questions they wish they could ask when they are at home in their living room watching this. Rory is such a good talker. He adds so much context to what we are witnessing. I would have loved to hear his thoughts on the setup at Oakmont. He didn’t speak, and when he did, it was so short.

“He’s so eloquent when he speaks about the nuts and bolts of golf. It adds important context to the whole event. It’s an entertainment product.

“Rory’s immaculate, spectacular lifestyle doesn’t exist without golf fans. He’s not flying home in a $70 million jet without the fans. So when you snub the reporters, you are really snubbing fans. It’s not about the press, it’s about disengaging with the fanbase.”