Rory McIlroy - 4 Time Major Winner

GreeBo wrote: »

The #1 player in the world practicing while competitions are cancelled is hardly "for the sake of it".

If he stops completely then his touch etc will take longer to come back.
Sure he cant practice the heat of battle, but thats only important if you are at the top of the leaderboard. You wont be there if your basic skills are rusty.

Exactly - It seemed as if it was a slight-of-relief that the season has stopped for him hence my mentioning of lack of motivation. Someone like him should be desperately hungry and just from his vocabulary in speaking about the game in that interview, it's not there.

OEP wrote: »

Again, the boards experts knowing more than the world number 1 about what he needs to do to keep his touch.

Exactly wrote: »

I think you'll find he is having a bit of downtime at the moment. What is it 2 weeks since the Thursday if the Players?

I'm sure he will be back practicing and working on his game in the near future.

Unfair comment OEP

Look, I'm as big a fan of McIlroy as anyone (and always stand up for him on here) and have said for more than 2 years now that pound-for-pound he's the best player in the world.

My big disappointment is his under-achieving (yes). He could've set a legacy in the Sport but he clearly doesn't want that even though he has the raw talent. Like I mentioned earlier - A clear lack-of-motivation hangs over him.

His tone and word usage age worried me from that interview. Nothing about missing the game..Nothing about dying to get back into it...just typical stuff about 'I need the challenge/competition to get me going'.

It's akin to Tyson Fury after he won his first Major World Title (his example of extreme). He lost all motivation because he had seemingly achieved it all.

Exactly wrote: »

I'm not proclaiming anything but they are firmly in an off season now not by their own design. Why not enjoy a few weeks downtime.

Even in the current climate though it seem haters are still gonna hate.

Its not "hating" to suggest that a complete hiatius of practice seems inadvisable for the world #1.

I dont think anyone is suggesting that he should be putting in 16 hours a day.

GreeBo wrote: »

Again the Rory brigade proclaiming that he can do no wrong and never makes a bad call.

Nothing to do with the Rory brigade, if you said that about any pro I'd say the same thing. Call him out on poor golf all you like, you'll see I've never disputed that, but at this point you're literally looking for anything to criticize him for.

callaway92 wrote: »

Unfair comment OEP

Look, I'm as big a fan of McIlroy as anyone (and always stand up for him on here) and have said for more than 2 years now that pound-for-pound he's the best player in the world.

My big disappointment is his under-achieving (yes). He could've set a legacy in the Sport but he clearly doesn't want that even though he has the raw talent. Like I mentioned earlier - A clear lack-of-motivation hangs over him.

His tone and word usage age worried me from that interview. Nothing about missing the game..Nothing about dying to get back into it...just typical stuff about 'I need the challenge/competition to get me going'.

It's akin to Tyson Fury after he won his first Major World Title (his example of extreme). He lost all motivation because he had seemingly achieved it all.

He's just had one of the best 12/18 months of golf in his career, you can hardly question his motivation. Not getting into the not having won a major, we know this, and he needs to do this very soon.

benny79 wrote: »

Yea I kinda got that too especially since he said hes still going after it in the gym! But then I was surprised when I heard a lot of golfers dont touch their clubs in the off season (around xmas) even Lowry said it. Now I dont expect them to be hitting balls for hours but Ill still expect them to keep there touch going..

Also the fact Rory was in a fair bit of form. But then hes probably just saying that and will probably get back into it after a week or 2.

Why do you expect that? I don't get this. You just said a lot the golfers don't touch their clubs in the off season (all probably), so clearly there's a reason for this.

OEP wrote: »

Who says it's inadvisable?

Why do you have to be so aggressive with the poster with questions like this?

It's his opinion on an opinion-forum

Some load of manure in here is usual.

Thought the interview was excellent. But any stick to beat the world number 1 will be used.

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Some load of manure in here is usual.

Thought the interview was excellent. But any stick to beat the world number 1 will be used.

Have stated numerous times throughout the years on this forum that he’s my favourite player etc so this is fairly moot.

GreeBo wrote: »

You literally quoted the answer to your own question.
*I'M* saying that *I* think its inadvisable.

Fair point!

I don't think you're the best person for him to be be taking advice from though

OEP wrote: »

Fair point!

I don't think you're the best person for him to be be taking advice from though

He isn't taking my calls at the moment so I'm relegated to just posting my opinion on a discussion forum

Seve OB wrote: »

For all the people who are giving out that Rory is not taking golf seriously and pontificating that he should be practicing;

well i hope that those of you who are currently also out of work are using this time to practice doing your excel sheets, your sales pitches, folding clothes, washing dishes, pulling pints, waiting tables or whatever you do for a living!

FFS people are entitled to a bit of a break!

What a weird comment.

He's a Sportsperson specifically focused on one sport.

WFH btw.

Seve OB wrote: »

For all the people who are giving out that Rory is not taking golf seriously and pontificating that he should be practicing;

well i hope that those of you who are currently also out of work are using this time to practice doing your excel sheets, your sales pitches, folding clothes, washing dishes, pulling pints, waiting tables or whatever you do for a living!

FFS people are entitled to a bit of a break!

Jack Nicklaus cut back his tournament schedule and concentrated on the majors.
He went fishing, and spent time with his family, attending their school events and doing normal things.

Everybody needs a break,
Climb a mountain or jump in a lake.
Some head off to exotic places,
Others go to the Galway Races.
Mattie goes to the South of France,
Jim to the dogs, Peter to the dance.
A cousin of mine goes potholing,
A cousin of here's loves Joe Dolan.

BraveDonut wrote: »

When he injured his ankle a few years back playing 5-a-side he said that he didn't pick up a club for over 6 weeks when he was recovering. When he did start to hit balls again he said it felt great that his game was still there.
He didn't seem to have too much trouble getting his full game back.

Questioning his desire/hunger?

Changes his schedule to be more competitive in the Fedex cup - wins it
Says he wants to retain his world #1 ranking - done
We all know he wants that masters to complete the grand slam
He also wants to win the most majors for a European player

And no matter what all his detractors say, he is the most watchable golfer on tour

As noted umpteen times, I've noted that he's my favourite player on Tour.

In regards to the other two bolded points....come on..that's guff that any player would say.

Why hasn't he achieved it yet? He hasn't won a Major since 2014...He clearly has the talent to do so. He's the World no. 1 and imo the best Raw Talented player in the World.

Why hasn't he wont a Major in his last 19 starts?

2019 - Made 3 Cuts

4th Round was his best round in two of those (when the shackles are off probably and there's no pressure on)

2018 - Made 3 Cuts

The Masters he had a rubbish 4th Round (one of the few top players to shoot over par for it).. Had a good British Open that year.

2017 - Made 3 Cuts

In all three of those the 4th Round was his best score (shackles off again and no pressure)

2016 - Made 2 Cuts.. Average Masters ruined by third round 77 (was placed 2nd before that round). In the Open he shot a final round 67 - his best round, when again, there was no pressure on him.

2015 - Made 3 Cuts (out of 3)

Masters - 4th Round was his best by a mile and shot himself up to 4th place.
US Open, 4th round was his best by a mile and shot himself up to 9th place.
PGA Championship, 4rd Round was his second best (after his third round where he was never gonna win the tournament after 2 rounds anyway)

-- -- --

Main jist of the story is here is that there is a mentality block. There's never any fire in him when things go wrong.. He shrugs it off. That might be his way of dealing with things.

Talent-wise, best golfer in the World. Not so much mentally.

He seems to be happy enough to plug away at what he's doing currently (which is fine)...but there'll be no legacy in reality. If he really wanted to have more Majors now, he'd have won more - Hence citing a lack of motivation.

Disclaimer one more time - I'm a massive fan of him as a player and his swing etc.