Rory McIlroy - 2011 US Open Champion
Rory McIlroy’s emphatic US Open victory at Congressional brings much deserved recognition and also comparisons with the finest achievements of past greats including Bobby Jones (Open champion at 21 years), Jack Nicklaus and more recently Tiger Woods.
Bobby Jones
McIlroy’s journey to the summit has been brief relative to gradual rise in stock of Westwood, Donald, Casey, Poulter and Rose – all still majorless despite years of high profile play and success. Despite this, McIlroy’s style does appear more old style than his world Top-10 peers.
PGA Tour Status Rory quickly handed back his PGA Tour status in 2011 in favour of home life in Hollywood, Co Down, and to play golf with his more familiar counterparts in Europe. He has recently also embraced (UNICEF) charitable causes, with a visit to Hailti which left a profound impression on him.
Tournament Strategy McIrroy’s golfing goals and tournament strategy also appear more old style– setting out to win from the gun to the tape, irrespective of the pressures and risks.
McIlroy at Congressional
Donald, Westwood and others have offered a more longer-lasting goal of trying to “put themselves in contention by Sunday afternoon”. In that way, a second or fourth place finish is effectively a satisfactory week’s work, with another week to follow to do the same all over again and accumulate more $’s and ranking points, without the risks of tournament front-running.
Michael Bannon & Rory McIlory - Dubai 2011
Teaching Philosophy McIlory still uses his childhood teaching pro (Michael Bannon) in little known Bangor Golf Club, Northern Ireland and it seems that when things don’t go well for him on the Tour he also resorts to playing “with anyone he can find back home” to join him on the links of Portrush or Co Down, to rekindle his love for the game and to strengthen his belief in his ability on the world stage. A far cry from swing gurus and extensive game analysis, the direction that the game took following the successes of Nick Faldo and Leadbetter in the 80’s and early 90’s.
Ben Hogan - "The Hawk"
Publicity Ben Hogan once said that as soon as a golfer is affected by what people are writing or saying about their successes – that’s the same day the player begins their decent. McIlory was echoing that sentiment from pillar to post of his Congressional win.
Core Values At the PGA Tour Memorial event 2 weeks prior to the US Open, Jack Nicklaus had a chat with McIlroy. Among the topics discussed were how to recognise and deal with mistakes, and how to seek out and handle pressure and expectation. Old style concepts and values in an age of Top 10′s, WGCs, Tweets and hits.
McIlroy in Haiti
Mclroy’s success offers a wonderful contrast to recent social and golfing trends. He shuns the bling, glitz and trappings of superstar lifestyle and seeks out instead the excitement of victory, the camaraderie of friends, international charity and the comforts and realities of home living.
Here’s to Rory and to a new generation of Old Style champions!
That’s why he can never be Tiger. I think a superstar is not only defined by his play but also his personality. It’s the same reason why Lebron James can never be Michael Jordan. Tiger Woods had this sparkle that no one else had. He brought the type of emotion to the game of golf that had never been seen before. Golf purists don’t miss it but I sure do. He was a guy who let his emotions loose but didn’t affect his play. He may have been a robot in interviews but he was far from it when he played the game. Don’t get me wrong, I like McIlroy as a person, but he just doesn’t have that same star quality that Tiger Woods has and never will. How many majors he wins is anyone’s guess but there is no way he can ever be Tiger Woods. At least in my mind. Also, you think you could check out my blog cuz I’d love to hear what you have to say http://chrisross91.wordpress.com/2011/06/19/just-what-the-doctor-ordered/
We’re currently in a massive worldwide downturn caused by excessive greed by wall street and banking worldwide, and of course fueled by consumerism gone mad. Somewhere along the line, we’ve got to acknowledge, we’ve taken a wrong turn.
What Tiger stood for is possibly win at all costs – W or nothing – to push yourself to the extreme for victory. There is definetly emotion there and a whole bunch of excitment – but I’m not sure its a healthy direction for the world to follow. McIlroy seems to represent a more balanced and old style approach, and someone that I would feel comfortable holding up as a role model to kids everywhere – its less likely they’ll get hurt in the process of following his lead. In Tiger’s defence, he’s had it tough growing up as a junior golfer in white america, so he didn’t quite enjoy the same foundation and base that Rory has had. And, Tiger has created the TW Foundation which looks a fantastic legacy for him.
Rory so far has just won one Major, so let’s see what happens from here. Golf and sport does need to represent a little more than the result or number at the end of the event, and Rory is still forging his personality whereas TIger’s always appeared a little more easily read?
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