New thread as old one is nearly at 10000 post limit.
Old thread
I think the reason McIlroy gets a hard time is because he was known from a young age and was expected to become a top professional. People saw early he was a once in lifetime talent. So there was an expectation he'd be up there challenging for majors, the fact he won 4 early reinforced that. It may feel now to many he's underachieving
With the likes of Lowry there was no guarantee he'd even make it on the tour, many would never have expected a major or becoming a World Top 50 player. So it feels he's in bonus territory in some ways
Plus I think people look and still see Lowry as one of the lads. You could see him wandering into a gaa game, people can relate their life a bit more to him
McIlroy on the other hand is a global face, I'm sure he can't go many places with being recognized or hassled. So he's seen on another level and probably judged harder as a result
Though I thought he played well, over half the 83 players in the field shot a lower score on Sunday, having seen the way players were scoring before he teed off, it would have been fair of him to assume that he could be caught and that he needed a good score to protect his lead. I wouldn’t call it a choke, more a failure to launch. Having said that, -18 is a great Open score so I’m sure this one hurts more than the others.
McIlroy didn’t choke. He hit every green in regulation on a Sunday in a major. Smith had an absolute day out for himself and fully deserved it. Mcilroy went bogey free and came up short. It happens.
This “choking” thing is tiresome at this stage. Choking is blowing a lead, he didn’t blow anything he just got gunned down by Smith who played better. If the winning score was -14 or -15 I’d say McIlroy blew it but look at the winning score, -20 and a tie for the lowest open score ever.
Looks like another choke to me. Shooting 70 in the final round was a poor score given the conditions. He shot one of the worst scores in the top 20 today. He should have been able to shoot 67/68 for a tie or outright win.
Well for me it is because Mcllroy has an in built cockiness, and is arguably more talented than all the other golfers you mention.
His flicking between British one minute, Irish the next and British another day is also a factor for other people. But the latter does not seem to hold as much relevance at this stage.
My elderly father loves his Golf and always tunes in to 'watch Rory' if he is in any competition. Loves Golf etc. But in the last few years I have even noticed may fathers attitude has changed towards 'Rory'.
He has got annoyed with him for blowing competitions, 'making an eejit' of himself as he puts it. And not focusing. Yet my father seems to only have a consistent 'Grá' for Lowry at this stage. He does not get annoyed with him- half as much, if ever.
Now I did not bother asking the auld fella what he would say after this loss. Because I know what he would say. 'Rory couldn't putt'. So I assume he will not be half as frustrated as watching him, on previous times.
Personally I think Mcllroy did well and nearly did enough to win, his gameplan was not to do anything stupid, it nearly worked. Plenty of times in the past you could correctly accuse Mcllroy of 'choking' based on the situation and his talent. But on this occasion it was not because Mcllroy 'made an eejit of himself' as in previous Major tournaments.
You reference Robbie Keane, but I think that is a poor example. Why? Because Robbie Keane consistently turned up when it mattered on big days. Mcllroy wilted on big days more often than not. But ironically the 2022 Open was not one of them, even though he lost this time.
Ok , your right he played well . Shot 70, one of the worst scores of the top 20
I am happy he's contending. Delighted for him he seems to be enjoying golf again which is half the battle.
Truly gutted as to win thr 150th would have been special. Yes it was easier than most majors but in 10 years time no one will say how easy it was they will just remember the winner.
I think you're right he played Hovland when he should have played the course.
Huh? Cant legislate for shooting your worst round by 2 shots on the last day when the pins were in their easiest positions? Hmm. Someone from the chasing pack was always likely to shoot at least a 65.
Course was completely flat, no wind to mention so ideal conditions for Rory's game. Final round of 70 was never going to get it done and putting sharpness deserted him. As a spectacle, disappointing to see St Andrews so defenceless this year.
Rory did great can’t legislate for someone else shooting like that
You would really wonder what is the reason for the dislike of McElroy especially in the south of Ireland. Harrington is supposed to b a legend. Lowry gets very little criticism even thought he has not won for 3 years. Power gets great praise for making top 50. You could make the argument that McElroy is the best sportsman that this island has ever produced. It always reminds me of Robbie Keane. Not from the gaa part of the island
Nobody grows up dreaming of winning the Fed Ex
I don’t like St. Andrews for the open. Not enough jeopardy.
Wouldn’t say he played well today !! He played conservatively and I think with Hovland dropping a shot he thought he would just have to beat him .
Himself and Hovland had the worse scores of the Top 15 today and that course was there for the taking. I reckon if he was 2 or 3 shots behind going into final round he would have shot 66 at least ..
You are being harsh. He played well.
I reckon he wins the fed ex
Yes this one in particular will sting, he was playing so well aswell maybe the scars of missed majors haunted him, I think he played a bit too conservative, unreal putting from Cam though and Rory does seem back to his best this year so not all bad.
Solid year in the majors but still missing something...I think a change if caddy would be good for him..
Delighted for Cam - but very depressed for Rory - you basically only get one or two chances to win at St Andrews.
To put it another way, he was 3 shots off the win
Well tbf young had a great round and came 2nd. Thought 70 was a bad score today.
Savage weeks golf again from McIlroy, the way he's playing is unbelievable stuff
3 top 5's in this year's majors, some consistency
Basically took an amazing round from Smith to win it, Rory did very little wrong. Pleasure to see him playing
Great 3 days but 70 on the final day no where good enough given how course was playing . Everyone in top 15 went well below that for final round
A very very good 3rd!
Superb effort.
The fact that the drive on the first hole must be as easy as any course on the planet is great for Rory, there's nothing in the immediate to stress about. I'm hopeful, would love to see him do it in St Andrews.
A chance to make history. I hope he plays his best and wins.
I wouldn’t back him but good luck to him he’s playing great stuff for awhile now so couldn’t begrudge him
COME ON RORY!
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