Golf analyst compares Rory McIlroy to WWE wrestler: "I'm just baffled by what has happened"

ESPN analyst Scott Van Pelt says he is 'baffled' by Rory McIlroy's 'heel turn'. 

McIlroy was understandably elated after climbing his personal Everest in April at The Masters. 

The 36-year-old appeared on chat shows and bounced into the PGA Tour's team event alongside Shane Lowry on his first start as the owner of a green jacket. 

But since then McIlroy has appeared agitated on and off the golf course. 

His primary issue appears to be an ongoing feud with the media for how his non-conforming driver story was covered at the PGA Championship. 

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was among those to take note of McIlroy's body language and speculated that there is something more going on behind the scenes. 

"I'm just baffled by what [has] happened," Van Pelt told his show. "What's going on? People are going to speculate about his life. I will not do that. The man's life is his own business.

"He mentioned: 'I climbed my Everest and I’m trying to come down the mountain.' I get that. 

"I don't know what comes afterwards. I wonder, is it like, 'I don't have anything to chase. I don't have a hill to climb?' 

"But that doesn't explain to me that his resting posture seems pi---- off with everyone. I'm just baffled by it.

"To me, he is such a leader of the Tour, has been incredibly accountable, more than anybody, and maybe he just reached the point where he's like, 'You know what, I'm f------ done. 

"I've done this forever, and now I feel like I've reached the point where I get to do whatever I want.'"

McIlroy admitted after the PGA Championship that he wasn't too bothered about making the cut when it dawned on him he was out of contention. 

He also raised eyebrows when he declared he wanted to play the final round of the US Open at Oakmont in under four-and-a-half hours so he could make a quick exit.

Van Pelt added: "Saying the quiet part out loud like that makes people go, 'Oh really? Well, that's an interesting way to frame it.' He just seems like he's mad at everything and everybody. That's the part I don't quite get.

"Not for nothing, the whole LIV thing led to these elevated events. Then, Jack [Nicklaus] has an elevated event, and he doesn't go, and he doesn't call him. 

"After he sat down with him and brainstormed how to win Augusta, he didn't call Jack. That's poor form from a guy who's almost only had immaculate form.

"He's always done and said things that made me think, 'That's well done.' It's odd. Odd is the only thing I can say. It seems like he's suddenly become a different dude. It's like a heel turn almost."

McIlroy is back in action this week at the Travelers Championship. 

He will then take what appears to be a much-needed break from the sport before heading to Scotland for their national open. 

Then he will turn his attention to the final men's major of the year at Royal Portrush.