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Rory McIlroy plays down backlash as Ryder Cup’s phoney war heats up Rory McIlroy plays down backlash as Ryder Cup’s phoney war heats up
(35 minutes later)
With a fortnight to go until the Ryder Cup, the phoney war appears to be under way. The targeting of Rory McIlroy by the United States merely highlights the Northern Irishman’s status and significance in the European camp.With a fortnight to go until the Ryder Cup, the phoney war appears to be under way. The targeting of Rory McIlroy by the United States merely highlights the Northern Irishman’s status and significance in the European camp.
An innocuous press conference answer by McIlroy on Wednesday, regarding Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson being in the latter stages of their careers and with a recent history of injury, landed the 25-year-old in the middle of a contrived storm. Elements of the American media were hardly innocent, having seized upon McIlroy’s – wholly accurate – sentiment.An innocuous press conference answer by McIlroy on Wednesday, regarding Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson being in the latter stages of their careers and with a recent history of injury, landed the 25-year-old in the middle of a contrived storm. Elements of the American media were hardly innocent, having seized upon McIlroy’s – wholly accurate – sentiment.
By Wednesday night McIlroy had taken to Twitter to assert that he had always been “complimentary” about the duo in question. Which was another truism. Having signed for an opening round of 69, one under par, at the Tour Championship, McIlroy was quite right to state his case once again.By Wednesday night McIlroy had taken to Twitter to assert that he had always been “complimentary” about the duo in question. Which was another truism. Having signed for an opening round of 69, one under par, at the Tour Championship, McIlroy was quite right to state his case once again.
“I just couldn’t understand the backlash,” he said. “It wasn’t like I was writing them off at all. I just said Tiger didn’t get the chance to play here because he was injured and that Phil has played great at times. I said that we’ll see them both back at this event plenty of times. But when I saw the reaction I thought: ‘Hang on, have I said something wrong here? I don’t think so.’ I know those guys both really well and I don’t think I said anything out of order. I went on Twitter to try to clarify it. I couldn’t believe the reaction.”“I just couldn’t understand the backlash,” he said. “It wasn’t like I was writing them off at all. I just said Tiger didn’t get the chance to play here because he was injured and that Phil has played great at times. I said that we’ll see them both back at this event plenty of times. But when I saw the reaction I thought: ‘Hang on, have I said something wrong here? I don’t think so.’ I know those guys both really well and I don’t think I said anything out of order. I went on Twitter to try to clarify it. I couldn’t believe the reaction.”
When asked if he would shy away from any remarks about Woods in particular from now on, a McIlroy smile followed. “No. I have said far worse things to Tiger’s face.”When asked if he would shy away from any remarks about Woods in particular from now on, a McIlroy smile followed. “No. I have said far worse things to Tiger’s face.”
With neither Woods nor Mickelson in the field for the finale of the FedEx playoff series, McIlroy is the marquee name. Yet it is unfortunate if the four-times major winner’s candour is to be used against him. Unlike others on the golf scene, McIlroy does not dodge questions. With neither Woods nor Mickelson in the field for the finale of the FedEx play-off series, McIlroy is the marquee name. Yet it is unfortunate if the four-times major winner’s candour is to be used against him. Unlike others on the golf scene, McIlroy does not dodge questions.
On the course, McIlroy’s opening hole rather summed up what was to follow. He carved a three wood right at the 1st and hit a tree branch when trying to play back to safety before almost holing his subsequent wedge shot. McIlroy had four birdies and three bogeys during what he later described as a “grind”.On the course, McIlroy’s opening hole rather summed up what was to follow. He carved a three wood right at the 1st and hit a tree branch when trying to play back to safety before almost holing his subsequent wedge shot. McIlroy had four birdies and three bogeys during what he later described as a “grind”.
He added: “I haven’t been firing on all cylinders for a couple of weeks now but it’s just a case of hanging in there. I was pleased with the score because that 69 could have been a 73 or 74 in past years. I really want this win to put the icing on the cake of a great year.”He added: “I haven’t been firing on all cylinders for a couple of weeks now but it’s just a case of hanging in there. I was pleased with the score because that 69 could have been a 73 or 74 in past years. I really want this win to put the icing on the cake of a great year.”
The Ryder Cup is also pertinent in the context of the leaderboard here. McIlroy’s Thursday playing partner, Bubba Watson, is one shot from the lead at three under par. He has two more of Tom Watson’s team members, Patrick Reed and Jim Furyk, for scoring company while Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson signed for 68s.The Ryder Cup is also pertinent in the context of the leaderboard here. McIlroy’s Thursday playing partner, Bubba Watson, is one shot from the lead at three under par. He has two more of Tom Watson’s team members, Patrick Reed and Jim Furyk, for scoring company while Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson signed for 68s.
Chris Kirk and Billy Horshel, neither of whom will play at Gleneagles, lead the way at minus four. Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel, neither of whom will play at Gleneagles, lead the way at minus four.
Jason Day’s 67 was notable because of the circumstances surrounding it. The Australian’s caddie, Colin Swatton, had to depart the course after just seven holes because of a back problem. Day’s mind coach, Jason Goldsmith, duly stepped in for a bit of manual labour.Jason Day’s 67 was notable because of the circumstances surrounding it. The Australian’s caddie, Colin Swatton, had to depart the course after just seven holes because of a back problem. Day’s mind coach, Jason Goldsmith, duly stepped in for a bit of manual labour.
“I don’t know what Colin did to his back last night but he did something,” said Day. “Jason did a good job, though. He did a really good job. It was kind of something where it just kind of clicked. It worked.“I don’t know what Colin did to his back last night but he did something,” said Day. “Jason did a good job, though. He did a really good job. It was kind of something where it just kind of clicked. It worked.
“I told Colin: ‘Look, if you get out there and you pull out, I’m going to be very pissed.’ I said: ‘Take the day off. Get some rest. Because if you just miss today and you feel better tomorrow, then I’ve got you for the next three days. If you pull out, if you go and caddie and can’t caddie tomorrow because you hurt your back even more …’” Suffice to say, player-caddie relations in the Day camp may not be at an all-time high.“I told Colin: ‘Look, if you get out there and you pull out, I’m going to be very pissed.’ I said: ‘Take the day off. Get some rest. Because if you just miss today and you feel better tomorrow, then I’ve got you for the next three days. If you pull out, if you go and caddie and can’t caddie tomorrow because you hurt your back even more …’” Suffice to say, player-caddie relations in the Day camp may not be at an all-time high.