‘ROBOTIC’ RORY TOLD TO FORGET CONTRACTS AND JUST PLAY GOLF
Rory aims to recapture ‘carefree’ days and to play with ‘freedom’
BUTCH HARMON has told “robotic” Rory McIlroy to forget about his “endorsements contracts” and get back to playing golf.
The former world No.1 has gone nearly four years without winning a Major before teeing up in Carnoustie today.
And Sky Sports analyst Harmon said: “I would like to see him start playing golf and stop playing golf swing.
“He looks like a robot out there when I see him practice putting.
“Rory had this spell when he wasn’t putting or hitting the ball good and he got so wrapped up in how he was going to do it, he
ELEVEN years after making his Open debut as a mop-haired amateur at Carnoustie, Rory McIlroy wants to rediscover his inner kid to end his Major drought.
The Ulsterman’s golden summer of 2014 saw him win a hat-trick of titles, including The Open and the US PGA. But fast-forward four years and the 29-year-old has not added to his haul of four Major titles.
And McIlroy, who won the Silver Medal as the leading amateur here in 2007, said playing with the same freedom as his happy-golucky teenage self will help him back to winning ways.
“I think sometimes I need to get back to that attitude where I play carefree and am just happy to be here,” he said. “It was my first Open Championship. I was just so grateful to be here.
“Sometimes, with the pressure that’s maybe put on the top guys to perform at such a high level every week, that starts to weigh on you a little bit. I look back at those pictures, and the more I can be like that kid, the better.
“It was actually nice playing with Jon Rahm in practice because the first instinct he has is to get up on a tee box and pull a driver out of the bag.
“Not think about the trouble or think about anything. Just, ‘This is where I want to hit it, and this is where I want to go’.
“I just think, as you get a little older, you get a little more cautious in life. I think it’s only natural. It’s more about playing with the freedom and, I don’t want to say naive, but there is something nice about being young and being oblivious to some stuff.
“In 2007, I was bouncing down the fairways, didn’t care if I shot 82 or 62. I was just happy to be here. The more I can get into that mindset, the better I’ll play.”
After his latest Masters failure, McIlroy sought solace by drinking red wine and binge-watching the TV show Billions. But happily married to Erica, he certainly doesn’t seem like a man obsessed with his golfing destiny.
“I’ve become more balanced, I guess,” he said. “I try to see the bigger picture and to have some perspective in my life. It isn’t all about trying to win tournaments and chase titles.
“Other things give me fulfilment as well. I was on a nice run there from 2011 to 2014. I haven’t won one since, but I’m trying my best every time I tee it up, and it just hasn’t happened. I’ll give it a good go this week.”
McIlroy admitted to regrets about his hair in 2007 – and to mixed emotions standing behind the 18th as fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington beat his favourite Sergio Garcia in a play-off.
“Obviously, I don’t have any kids yet but, hopefully, there’s a young amateur this week that’s waiting behind the 18th green on me, and I’m the one that’s coming up there and trying to win the tournament,” he added.