Nice mullet, man
Though it was a non-sanctioned, limited-field, no-cut event, Rory McIlroy made a statement winning the Shanghai Masters, along with the $2 million check, the richest prize in golf. Winless since his dominating U.S. Open victory in June at Congressional, McIlroy had the opportunity to win in regulation, but missed an eight-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole, with tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki watching from a luxury box by the green.
Before I go into more details, I have to ask — what’s going on with Anthony Kim’s hair? Is he trying to bring the mullet back?
Speaking of which, perhaps just as notable as Rory’s victory was AK showing some return to form. Kim was off to a great season in 2010 — a win at the Shell Houston Open, third at the Masters, etc. — but he was playing with a hand injury, which benched him for three months after last year’s Quail Hollow Championship in May. Since his return, he’s made a few cameos, including a tie for fifth at the British Open in July, but he’s failed to maintain any consistency.
AK, who shot three-under 69 Sunday, missed a three-footer on the first playoff hole, opening the door for Rory to make a two-footer for the win.
McIlroy gave an optimistic prognostication on what lies ahead for Kim, tweeting, “AK played great, Expecting good things from him next season!”
Rory admitted he didn’t have his A game Sunday, but he didn’t let up.
“It’s something that I feel I can get better at: winning and putting yourself in the position to win when you’re not playing your best,” he said. “Even if it’s scrappy golf, where you grind it out, you’re going to win a lot more tournaments by doing that. I was very happy I was able to pull this one out.”
In his last three starts on the European Tour, he finished third, third and second — consistent performances, but McIlroy was frustrated not to walk away with victories. (Still hard for me to believe that the Shanghai Masters was only Rory’s fourth career win.)
While the Shanghai Masters title comes with an asterisk (since it was arguably a money grab), Rory beat a strong field and the win gave him a nice confidence boost before this week’s HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championship event, also held in Shanghai.
(AP Photo)
AK, I want to root for you man, but I just can’t get past the hair. Dude go to a barbershop, I’m sure you can afford it. And hey maybe if you can see, you’ll know in those 5-footers down the stretch like you used to.
Congrats Rory you beat a 30 man field. I’m sure this will send tongue wagging as your marketed as a Tiger Woods opposing force for good.
Great player not a great golfing mind.
@Birdie Inn – Rory’s putt was about two feet. To the untrained eye, almost everyone underestimates the length of putts on TV – play by play announcers even routinely do this, and by a wide margin often calling an eight footer a five footer for example. That said, two feet is very tight. The next time you are playing, measure out two feet and place a ball that distance from the hole. You’d be surprised how close 24 inches looks. Amateurs would sink 99% of puts from two feet.
Seven inches, on TV, looks like the ball is sitting almost on top of the hole.
If anything, AK’s putt was a bit outside three feet.
Hey Shoshana, Why don’t you stop watching if AK’s hair bothers you. What a silly statement to make. What does hair have to do with playing golf? It’s not a mullet. It’s pushed behind his ears. It’s nice to see some different looks and personality out there instead of all the boring generic robots.
not to start another fight but…..
if wozniacki was there why did she why did she tweet this…….Had a great flight to Shanghai on Turkish Airlines.. Slept the whole way, and woke up to find out @McIlroyRory won the tournament! Woo hoo:D……..
i’m confused
@Nancy seriously? Just for you next time I’ll put in a bunch of smiley faces (although it is a bad lack of hair cut). I’m a big AK fan, I’d love to see him find his game again. He and Day are probably my two favorite “young guns”
anthony kim’s hair = fast and furious 6 audition
Man, AK, save the mullet for rednecks, it does not look good on you. On the other hand, super psyched about your game coming around. I can’t wait for you to light up Augusta again.
Aw cmon if you wear your hair long and wear a baseball hat for like 6 hours in Shanghai you’re gonna be rocking some serious hat head. At least he didn’t rufflle his sweaty locks with his right hand and then stick it out to shake with his opponent.
AK isn’t quite back yet but he’s going to have a great season in 2012!