RORY: I WAS WRONG ABOUT OLYMPICS GOLF
RORY MCILROY held his hands up last night and confessed that he had got it wrong about golf in the olympics. The man who pulled out of Rio citing the Zika virus and led an exodus of the world’s top four players admitted he had been ‘pleasantly surprised’ that the sport’s reintroduction after 112 years had proved an overwhelming success. ‘There seemed to be a better atmosphere at the golf than there was at the athletics and it was good to see, it really was,’ he said. The four-time major winner made headlines with his infamous remark at The open last month that he wouldn’t be watching golf but concentrating instead on ‘diving, gymnastics and the olympic sports that matter’. yesterday, he admitted
to a remarkable change of heart.
‘We didn’t see much of the golf over the first couple of days because we were at my in-laws’ cabin in upstate New York where there was no TV or electricity, but we got back in time to catch up with the final round,’ he said.
‘Obviously, it was well supported down there and it pleasantly surprised me.
‘I thought golf was going to get lost a little bit with everything that was going on. I thought it would just blend in and be ... not forgotten about, but just be one of a lot of sports that were there.
‘But to see the crowds and everyone having a good time ... well, I was glad to be proven somewhat wrong.
‘It was great to see it so well supported and I think that Justin (Rose) was a great winner.
‘It was a great finish as well, the way Justin went out and won the gold medal from Henrik (Stenson). Justin’s always been a big supporter of Olympic golf, so I was excited for him.
‘He was on on board from the start, even if you go back years and see his quotes about it.
‘He was really excited to play, so I think we saw the right winner as well.’
McIlroy returns to the game after a three-week break for the first of four FedEx Cup play-off events in New York, which begins today.
When last seen at the US PGA Championship in neighbouring New Jersey, he endured arguably the worst putting experience of his career. It was one of those tippingpoint weeks where something had to change and it has.
Out has gone the blade putter he has used for most of his career to be replaced by one with a mallet-shaped head. But that’s just part of the complete overhaul.
‘When you’re No 1 in strokes gained from the tee and near dead last in putting, clearly there’s plenty to address,’ said the 27-year-old Northern Irishman.
‘I spent a day at a putting lab just analysing my stroke and it quickly became apparent that I had fallen into some very bad habits.
‘All of a sudden, my left hand was leading to such an extent that I didn’t know what was happening and I was missing putts left and right.
‘So, technically, I feel like I’ve come a long way during the break. I feel like the change to the mallet doesn’t encourage the face of the putter to close that much, which was the really bad putt I was getting.
‘But I know there’s still a bit to go. It’s a process, but I feel like I’ve made a good start.’
The other startling piece of golf news during his time away was Nike’s bombshell decision to pull out of making equipment.
Naturally, there has been lots of talk about who McIlroy will sign for next and he dropped a broad clue that it will be ... nobody.
‘I hear my parents’ house has been inundated with equipment from different manufacturers — I haven’t asked for it, but it’s there,’ he said, laughing.
‘The truth is I’m happy with everything right now.
‘Working with Nike for several years, they got to know what I like in golf clubs, so there’s no reason to start changing just because I can, when I’m comfortable with everything.
‘Maybe in the off-season I’ll tinker a bit and see what else is out there, but I don’t really expect to sign with anyone next year.’
Despite missing the cut in two of the four majors and with a solitary win at the Irish Open to his name, McIlroy believes he can still rescue his season.
‘I’m playing nine events in the next 12 weeks, including the Ryder Cup, so I do feel that there’s enough golf left to salvage it and call it a somewhat successful year,’ he said.