I went to a local PGA event (The Belfry, Quinn British Masters) in 2007. It was Rory Mcilroy's first event as a pro I believe. I was already aware of him as the No 1 amateur, and fully expected him, based on those performances, to easily make the smooth transition into the pro ranks. He did. As I followed this 17 year old around the Brabazon back nine, I was amazed by two things at this now defunct event (that's another blog, the lack of UK tournaments). Firstly, it was the 'sound' the ball and club made when Rory struck shots, and secondly, just how far this young kid was hitting it. I have played with scratch players and local pro's and yes, they were good, but they never sounded like that when they tee'd off. Mcilroy ultimately finished a disappointing T42 in his first pro event.
A smooth, solid, satisfying thwack, a bit like a VW car door closing shut. More importantly it just seemed so fluid and effortless.
Vorsprung Durch Technik
17 year old Rory at The Quinn Masters 2007
Can Rory go on and achieve multiple majors? Yes. Look at his record in the last few majors. Tied 3rd in 2010 at the USPGA and The Open. It seems his game is now prepared to peak around the big tournaments just like Tiger. He could possibly go on to topple Jacks record of 18 comfortably if he continues to progress and win at this rate. Rory has at least another 80 potential starts in majors! Is he our Tiger?, only time will tell. All golf fans need someone to root for coming down the back nine on a Sunday, now that Eldrick sadly seems to be too hampered by long term knee injuries and off course shenanigans. He is slowly turning into a star zoo curio, that can still do a good matinee turn, but clearly has been out in the sun for too long to do the evening show without needing forty winks.
Meltdown at Augusta
This years Masters, where Rory tried to protect his lead, plus the added pressure of winning his first major, probably became the factors for him not playing his natural game and attacking the course like he did the first 3 days. He went into the final round with a four-shot lead, but was ultimately devastated when he ended up finishing in joint 15th place. He took to hiding his crushed face in the crook of his arm when it all started to go wrong, or as my friends Dad put it "I knew he was in trouble when he started sniffing his armpit" That final round 80 could just prove to be the most influential round of golf mentally for Rory in the long run. I am also glossing over the fact I had a tenner at approx 30/1 on him to win. I did drown my sorrows with friends over a few beer's and a curry, washed down with white chocolate buttons. Wounder.
Anything you can do....
Jack Nicklaus also believes Rory can do great things, "only if he keeps his head together" I can't see this being a problem, the way the game is structured today, thanks to the likes of Palmer, Nicklaus and Seve, who were the first superstars. Rory has been groomed to be a global superstar from a very early age, with a network of people behind him, including his family and charismatic manager Chubby Chandler to look after him. He also has Gmac, Poulter, Westwood and all the other Ryder Cup players to bring him back down to earth on Twitter, who would have guessed Westwood can be quite funny? Poulter, on the other hand, comes over exactly like you you thought he would.
Young Rory with his dad Gerry
Happy Fathers Day
I have been watching golf on Sky Sports for the last 6 or 7 years, and I am really struggling to think of a more precise 4 rounds of 'exhibition' golf that delivered such a crushing winning margin by any other player in that time, in any tournament, let alone a major. I unfortunately missed Tiger in his pomp during 2000, but have watched him close out tournaments week after week on tour and in majors with ease in that 2005-2008 period. Rory may not have that cloak of 'invincibility' yet or the 'Tiger Fear Factor'. But he surely is not far away from it.
Mines a Guinness as he climbs to 4th in the rankings
Sorry Rory, but I will be putting some dough on you to win at Royal St Georges in a few weeks.......
Rory Gallagher
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