Rory McIlroy says if players are worried about the treacherous US Open rough they should pack their bags 'and go home'

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June 13, 2017 7:03 PM

Rory McIlroy is not a big fan of fellow golfers complaining about the rough at this week's U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy tees off during a U.S. Open practice round at Erin Hills.

The U.S. Open is being held at Erin Hills golf course in Wisconsin for the first time and the big story leading up to the tournament has been the rough. Specifically, players have complained about the overgrown fescue grass just beyond the first cut of rough.

PGA Tour veteran Kevin Na was the first to draw attention to the rough. Na showed in an Instagram video that if a ball misses the fairway by as little as 6-8 yards it can become impossible to play or even find.

Rory McIlroy was asked about the rough on Tuesday and was shocked to hear that the complaints are being addressed.

"Really?" McIlroy said during his press conference when told that some of the fescue is being cut back.

"We have 60 yards from left line to right line," McIlroy said. "You've got 156 of the best players in the world here. If we can't hit it in that avenue, you may as well pack your bags and go home."

McIlroy went on to defend the course by noting that the U.S. Open courses are not supposed to be easy.

"These are the widest fairways we've ever played at the U.S. Open," McIlroy said. "If you've got 50 or 60 yards to hit into and you're complaining about the fescue that's wider than that, I don't think that's an issue. I get that it is thick and whatever, but it's a hazard... It's the U.S. Open. It's supposed to be a tough test and if guys can't put it in play within a 50-yard zone, I don't think they've got much to complain about."

Groundscrew members were seen cutting the fescue just two days before the start of the tournament.

You can see McIlroy's comments here:

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