\n<\/p>\n
The tours, though, would struggle to impose mandatory interviews because they are organisations effectively run by the players themselves.<\/p>\n
Not so the majors. Augusta National, the PGA of America, USGA and R&A – who are responsible for the Masters, US PGA, US Open and The Open respectively – might, and probably should, consider making such a regime a condition of entry.<\/p>\n
This is especially the case while there is an increasing perception of a growing distance between top players and a mainstream media that can do so much to oil the PR machine that helps feed such gargantuan bank balances.<\/p>\n
And it seems in many cases, the more money they get, the less approachable these players become. They are also seemingly more prone to temper tantrums.<\/p>\n
In the past two majors there have been foul-mouthed, club-throwing outbursts from several players – including the usually mild-mannered world number one Scheffler, who tossed his putter on the 15th green after a missed putt. Courses and locker rooms have felt the full force of fury from some of the best remunerated athletes on the planet.<\/p>\n
McIlroy, by no means the main offender, lobbed a club and smashed a tee marker during this US Open, which was uncharacteristic from someone who in the injury-induced absence of Tiger Woods is the sport’s greatest ambassador and most popular player.<\/p>\n
While not a great look, he had clearly, and understandably, reached boiling point last week. Reporting of ‘driver-gate’ and his perceived lack of respect for Jack Nicklaus, for not telling the legendary American he would not be playing in his recent Memorial tournament – which had never been on his intended schedule – had irked him.<\/p>\n
His game was in decline. He was struggling to find a new driver that fitted his feels and the drive to fix such problems on the range. Despite super-human achievement, he is only human.<\/p>\n
McIlroy had reached a breaking point. It can happen to anyone, even someone who is usually so giving and interesting in his interviews.<\/p>\n
He did not want to speak after Saturday’s round, but he did and in so doing broke his silent treatment of the media.<\/p>\n
What emerged from that huddle did not show him in his best light, but it might prove a reset point.<\/p>\n
And by the end of the week his driver was starting to behave. It is the key attribute to his golfing prowess.<\/p>\n
On Sunday night he was much more his old self, speaking of his desire to get back to Europe, where a new house at Wentworth awaits as well as an Open at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
He plays the Travellers in Connecticut this week and then he is done with America for a while. He will take a break before July’s Scottish Open and then a potentially tumultuous end to the men’s major season on the Antrim coast a week later.<\/p>\n
Expect his mojo to be back there. As he says, if it is not then we know he has a problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n