Give me some sun, please!
Rory McIlroy didn’t have his best at Royal St. George’s. He struggled a bit in the bad weather over the weekend. While he wasn’t out of the hunt completely going into Sunday, he wasn’t in striking position. It simply wasn’t Rory’s week. He finished in a ho-hum tie for 25th. Which in the grand scheme of things really isn’t so terrible.
Amazingly, McIlroy admitted he doesn’t like playing in bad weather. “I’m not a fan of golf tournaments that the outcome is predicted so much by the weather,” said McIlroy after shooting a disappointing three-over 73. “It’s not my sort of golf.”
Strangely enough — considering he hails from Northern Ireland — McIlroy hasn’t proved to be the strongest wind player. He doesn’t have the best record at events where wind is a huge factor (see the ’11 Honda Classic).
Asked if he’s ever done well in the wind, he said, “No, not really. All the amateur tournaments I’ve won, they were played on links courses but they were all relatively calm. So I just play better and my game is more suited to calm conditions. Just glad I’m in the clubhouse. I’m just glad I’m in.”
To be quite honest, Rory’s game is much better suited for American (and PGA Tour) courses.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to America, playing in Akron, and obviously the PGA…and into some nice conditions.”
While Rory says his game is basically suited for most golf courses and conditions, he just doesn’t like playing in the crappy weather. Nor does he feel like he should change his game for one week a year (good point — see Martin Kaymer’s Masters experience). From the sound of it, you’d think he had grown up in West Palm Beach.
“These conditions I just don’t enjoy playing in really,” said McIlroy, candidly. “That’s the bottom line. I’d rather play when it’s 80 degrees and sunny and not much wind.”
Funny, me too!
When the Open kicked off, Rory-mania was in full swing. He didn’t end up winning a second consecutive major or contending on Sunday. And that’s perfectly fine. No, it wasn’t rust because he took three weeks off between majors — he prepared the same as he had for the previous two this year. He might have been a little overwhelmed from the ballyhoo, but it was hard to avoid. I mean, I felt anxious watching the crowds swarm toward him. And no, it wasn’t lack of talent, nor is he over-hyped.
I’d still put my money on Rory at almost every event…so long as the conditions are relatively calm. Expect to see him in contention at the PGA Championship in Hotlanta (Atlanta) next month.
(AP Photo/Jon Super)
There might be negative reactions to his comments but I don’t see why anyone, professional or not, in their right mind would like to play in 30 mile wind and shard rain unless they’re just gluttons for punishment. Then again, TDub, Jack, and Old Tom would NEVER say that.
Agreed. He’s just being honest, but better left unsaid, or not said right after the tournament.
Everyone prefers to play in nice and sunny, but there’s something to be said for embracing the challenge. Yes, there’s an element of luck to the weather, but some of his comments re: weather playing to much of a factor bordered on whining.
Errh, cant believe that to be honest.
Weather is the same for all,except if starting time matters like last week`s Scottish Open.Thought he learnt play in Holywood,rainy NI rather than Arizona..?
NOBODY likes to play & compete in that conditions (except perhaps Tom Watson).But that´s the OPEN challenge. Big fan of him and understand his feelings.However better kept that on his own. Blame it on the age..dont know. Come on Rory!Your play suits any conditions!
Rory must recognize that to be the best, he must be at his best in any weather condition. I hope he is young enough to realize that not every day at the golf course will be like a holiday in Florida.
On another note, I am loving this blog. Keep ‘em coming, Ms. Wei.
It’s true that the all-time greats learn to play in any weather and on any type of course. I can’t tell what McIlroy’s true intention is here — whether to acknowledge that he currently sucks at windy links courses but hopes to improve (which is admirably candid) or to express indifference regarding his ability to win an Open (which doesn’t bode well for him being the next Tiger.)
But it’s also true that you media people are going to overreact to this latest Rorygate in the manner of a 16-year-old boy overreacting to his girlfriend thinking some other dude is sexy. Rory finished a respectable 25th in the Open. He wasn’t flirting with DFL like Kuchar, Quiros, and Ishikawa. Get a grip.
RMac will have a lot more opportunities at winning the Open.
What’s more shocking is that McIlroy hails from Northern Ireland and says he doesn’t like Guinness. Didn’t think that was genetically possible.
Perhaps someday if the stars align and Great Britain resembles San Diego for an Open week, Rory will get to drink some refreshing Coors Light from the Claret Jug.
On another note, I think Ray should get the heck out of here!
Give him time, he’ll tackle it like a challenge (and probably conquer).
And dear God, if anyone ever puts Coors Light in the Claret Jug…… #endtimes
As the saying goes,when you are the media’s darling, you can make silly comments and people will call it honesty. Golfers will always prefer to play in sunny, calm and mild weather -that is a given. However as Jack and Tiger have said – give methe bad weather – very hot, cold and windy, and that will eliminate 90% of the players in the tourney at the start. MCllroy is young, immature,a pro for a few years, so he is allowed at this time to spew when he does not live up to the hype. Remember when you were that age, and thought you knew everything, yet you were given a lot of chances to mature, and even now some of you are still immature. Allow him this.
I gained a new appreciation of Rory’s approach to the game after the USOpen but this was a very small-minded comment to make after winning his first major a month ago with bright prospects of becoming a legend in the game. Let’s compare great players like Mickelson and say, Angel Cabrera, with a legend like Tom Watson. What’s the difference? Tom won 8 majors including 5 Open Championships and 3 of the 4 majors. And you can tell he still loves playing it with a chance to win and he’s 61!
Furthermore, Rory’s childhood idol (Clarke) just said the Claret Jug is the most cherished title to him. Lastly, in the clip from the BBC documentary, Rory is showing his practice area with all sorts of conditions simulated and then admits he calls the R&A to see what speed the greens will be running. So, I thought this comment was a total cop-out after not shining like he did at Congressional.
Come on Rory, aside from the soft US Open conditions at Congressional, you’ve won one other PGA tournament. Time to just bear down and enjoy the challenge of every tournament you enter, otherwise, stay home. There are plenty of other players who consider a tee time in the Open Championship to be a dream come true.
So much for his UNICEF trip to Haiti making a lasting impression. Suck-it up Rory!! I’m pretty sure you’re not the only one who does not like playing in rain and wind.
Well maybe Rory can find an indoor course somewhere.
Didn’t Jack N say that when he heard a player complain about tough conditions in a major, he knew he had one less to beat? Imagine if a “spoiled American” said this.
I am falling asleep reading this blog. Please smebody add something to spark some kindof debate. PLEASE. I am begging ya.