RORY MISSES THE ROAR
Star prop quits mid-season
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MOVING ON: Thompson in action for Saints and (below) after last year’s Grand Final win over Salford
RORY MCILROY is in the mix to win the first PGA Tour event back after a threemonth break.
But the Northern Irishman admitted he is missing the roar of the fans.
The world No.1 fired a second-round 63 at the Charles Schwab Challenge as a lack of spectators – with golf being played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 – failed to have an impact on his display.
Mcilroy even had the chance to equal the course record of 61 at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth
ST HELENS have been left reeling by star prop Luke Thompson’s midseason exit to NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs.
The England and GB front-rower had already agreed to switch Down Under on a three-year deal from the start of 2021.
But yesterday Saints confirmed his immediate exit for an undisclosed fee. Chairman Eamonn Mcmanus revealed that Thompson had rejected the pay cut accepted by the rest of the St Helens squad following the coronavirus lockdown. Club officials believed that put them in an impossible situation and that they could not retain the 25-year-old on full pay when all his team-mates had agreed cuts.
It is also understood that an initial move from the Bulldogs to land Thompson earlier this year was knocked back.
It means coach Kristian Woolf has lost one of his key men as the club looks to defend its 2019 title once the Super League season is able to resume. Thompson has become one of the most sought-after props in the world, culminating in a scramble for his signature last year. He won the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match in last year’s Grand Final after he made six birdies and an eagle. But he had to chip out after finding the rough with his final tee shot and he needed a nervy eight-foot bogey putt to keep a double off his card.
Mcilroy trailed clubhouse leader Harold Varner III by two shots and Jordan Spieth by a single stroke going into a potentially thrilling weekend with lots of big names in contention in Texas.
The first four events back on the PGA Tour will be played without crowds and Mcilroy said: “Once we sort of got into the flow of the round, things started to become more normal.
“When that first birdie putt went in and I didn’t get a clap, like my hand was trying to go up to wave to someone in the gallery, but there’s obviously no one there.
“But once you get into it, it’s the same. We’re trying to go out there and play the best golf we can.”
He added: “I’m just happy to be in the mix.
“I felt pretty comfortable out there and hopefully I can do the exact same thing over the next two days.” win over Salford Red Devils, clocking up 27 carries, 188 metres, 42 tackles and three tackle busts in one 72-minute spell.
He is due to fly to Australia next week and link up with a Bulldogs side that has struggled in the opening rounds of the NRL, winning just one of their opening four matches.
Thompson said: “I do believe it is important for me to put on record that the 2020 season was always about me fulfilling my contract and completing the season at Saints and going out on a high.
“Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, we have all been without rugby for months, with no sign at present of it returning, which has left our club and sport facing financial difficulties.
“When the opportunity arose for me to switch to the NRL earlier than planned, a move that would make a significant financial contribution to our club, then I agreed to the transfer.
“I have loved every moment of my time at Saints and it has been a privilege to have been a small part of this great club.”
Saints are not looking for a 2020 replacement for Thompson with the Super League season still around two months away from a probable restart, but will not rule out a move later down the line.
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IN THE GROOVE: Mcilroy on his way to a 63 yesterday