Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RORY CAN’T LIVE THE BRY LIFE NOW
Mcginley: Rory has realised there is more to life than golf and he can’t expect to outmuscle Dechambeau
FIXING the mechanics of Rory Mcilroy’s game is only the start of it as his latest Grand Slam attempt begins at Augusta today.
That’s the view of Paul Mcginley, who hopes celebrated swing coach Pete Cowen is “just going to give him something” this week.
As Mcginley notes, a surge of confidence goes a long way for Mcilroy.
“We know Rory more than probably anybody in the game can get confident very quickly, and from there it’s about igniting,” said the former European Ryder Cup captain.
But in terms of Cowen’s arrival into Mcilroy’s camp, Mcginley does add a warning, having watched Jordan Spieth’s long-awaited return to the winner’s enclosure last Sunday.
“Jordan this time two years ago, everyone was calling on him to change coach and caddy, and all of the same narrative that we have around Rory Mcilroy, and he resisted everything,” said Mcginley.
“He stuck with the same team and now look at him coming back in here as the second favourite this week, and he’s going to take a lot of beating.
“This game is intrinsically difficult but we all play our best when we have very little going on in our heads.
“That’s what Rory needs more than anything, to clear out his head and get a real directional path that’s based on, for him, inspiration more than anything.”
The Dubliner lists off mental challenges that Mcilroy is dealing with, from the pressure to join golf’s immortal five – Woods, Nicklaus, Hogan, Player and Sarazen – to his life off the course that involves a massive focus on family and business interests.
Comparing Mcilroy with, for example, Bryson dechambeau – who Mcginley believes will “transcend the sport” – throws up a reason why the latter is more likely to win the Masters this week.
“Rory’s life is a very complex one and he’s a far, far bigger star than I ever was,” the Sky Sports expert said. “I know he’s going down the road of technique but I can speak from experience as I went through it, a lot of my friends went through it, and other players are going through it... life gets in the way.
“Your focus doesn’t remain the same as you get older. You marry, become a father, you have business interests.
“You don’t have the pure, driven, ambition of your 20s.
“Certainly when you look at Bryson, nothing is in his way, no complications except golf. His focus is purely around golf.
“As you move into your 30s, all of us golfers figure this out. Jack Nicklaus called it – life gets in the way.
“This isn’t a bad thing, you just have to deal with it. This is just the evolution of a golfer.
“That’s all wonderful but it also takes away from your drive and focus, and that’s one of the challenges that Rory is facing.” ›› Watch all four rounds of the Masters live and exclusive, as well as previews, highlights and archive footage on Sky Sports The Masters and NOW
Your focus doesn’t remain the same as you get older. You marry, become a father, have business interests. Life gets in the way.