Dave Portnoy isn’t holding back when it comes to sharing his thoughts on Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory.
Despite McIlroy’s emotional triumph, Portnoy is far from offering his sincerest congratulations.
The Drama of McIlroy’s Final Round
McIlroy’s journey to the Green Jacket was a nail-biting affair.
The Northern Irish golfer had a solid five-shot lead with just eight holes to play, but things quickly took a dramatic turn as he began to lose control of his advantage.
At one point, it looked like he might let the victory slip through his fingers yet again.
In a thrilling final round at Augusta National, McIlroy was able to hold on, making a clutch birdie putt to defeat Justin Rose in a sudden death playoff.
This victory made him only the sixth player in golf history to complete a career Grand Slam.
Portnoy’s Criticism of McIlroy’s Performance
However, despite the exciting finish, Portnoy isn’t ready to give McIlroy all the credit.
On the Barstool Rundown, he expressed his disappointment in McIlroy’s performance, saying, “You’re not going to get me to full tip my cap.
“Nobody made a move on that leaderboard.
“This guy kept that cupboard open and let anybody have a chance over and over and over.”
Indeed, Rose made an impressive charge with 10 birdies, including one on the final hole that tied the game and sent it into a playoff.
McIlroy, already with a five-shot lead, faltered when he missed a par putt on the 18th, a missed opportunity that sent the tournament into sudden death.
Portnoy wasn’t done there. He pointed out that McIlroy had several chances to seal the deal but kept giving them away.
“It was maybe the most dramatic Masters,” Portnoy noted.
“But he didn’t win that because of his pure greatness. He was choking, making shots all over, and no one else made a move.”
The Criticism Extended Beyond Golf
Portnoy’s disdain for McIlroy doesn’t stop at his on-course performance.
He also took issue with McIlroy’s behavior off the course, referencing the golfer’s controversial actions earlier in the year.
Portnoy specifically mentioned McIlroy’s involvement in a public altercation with a fan during the Players Championship, where McIlroy snatched a fan’s phone in response to heckling.
The Barstool Sports founder didn’t hold back, calling McIlroy a “jerk” for his actions and stating that this showed his “true colors.”
He admitted, “I was rooting heavily against him. I do not like Rory. I am an anti-Rory guy.”
The Unlikable Side of McIlroy
Portnoy also shared his feelings about McIlroy’s image in the world of golf, which he believes is overly favorable.
“Golf people in general have a very soft loser mentality,” Portnoy said.
“I think Rory is a very unlikable dude if you’re not caught up in the world of golf.”
He even criticized McIlroy’s emotional moments after winning, particularly his tearful embrace with his wife and child, suggesting it felt like a “PR move” rather than a genuine display of emotion.
For Portnoy, McIlroy’s victory wasn’t about greatness—it was about getting over a mental hurdle after years of near-misses.
In the end, Portnoy’s candid take shows that while McIlroy’s Masters win may have been a historic achievement for many, not everyone is ready to praise the 35-year-old golfer unconditionally.