Rory rues a copycat Major dud
RORY McILROY reckons he blew his best-ever chance to win the Masters... by trying to imitate Tiger Woods.
Without this pandemic, world No.1 Rory might have been playing the final round at Augusta again today, hunting for an elusive first Green Jacket.
But back in 2011, the Ulsterman led by
FOUR shots going into Sunday only to collapse to a disastrous 80 and finish 15th.
McIlroy, now 30, recalled: “I think back to 2011 and the Masters and on the last day I was trying to be someone else that I wasn’t.
“I was almost trying to be like Tiger Woods, trying to be hyperfocused, not look at anyone, not talk to anyone, just be real business-like.
“And that has never been me. I approach it a different way. I play my best when I am a little more happy-go-lucky and relaxed and almost casual about it. But I thought to win the Masters I needed to be like Tiger.
“That was my mindset and that is where it went wrong. It was a different version of myself.”
The four-time Major champion told the Whoop podcast: “At that point I wasn’t into the mental side of things that I am now. I would watch the coverage in the morning and maybe hear what they were saying about me and the other players. Now I focus way more on myself.”
He added: “I have an app called Freedom. It blocks Instagram, blocks Twitter, blocks anything. You can block certain words too so nothing about myself would come up. I like to switch off.
“When my wife travels with me, we do jigsaw puzzles. We do a wee puzzle. She loves doing them, she is a huge advocate of not being on the phone.”
SURPRISE early arrival Bobby Ray is helping Great Britain star Joe Philbin beat the lockdown blues.
But Philbin reckons his tiny baby’s sudden appearance into the world was more stressful than anything he’s ever experienced as a player.
Hospital rules imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic meant Philbin wasn’t allowed to be with girlfriend Laura for part of her labour.
The Warrington prop, 25, said: “The baby was due on April 26 so for things to start happening three and a half weeks early was a big shock.
“When the contractions got unbearable I took her to hospital but I had to leave her at the door and stay outside while she was taken in.
“I could hear her screaming on the other side of the door so it was killing me that I couldn’t be with her.”
Laura was so close to giving birth, however, that Philbin was quickly allowed in and was masked up in time to see 4lb 15oz Bobby delivered.
He said: “Any earlier I’d have ended up delivering him myself. It was the most amazing moment ever when he was born.
“When you see your own child come out you understand why people say they would do anything to protect their kids.”
Dads-to-be are also currently even barred from attending pregnancy scans and Philbin, whose mum is a midwife, says that’s how it has to be. He said: “When it’s your first you want to be there for every moment but, in these crazy times, we have to be vigilant.
“We have to do everything we can to protect the NHS. At times like this you know who the real heroes are.”
Laura and Bobby were kept in hospital a few days as a precaution and Philbin says their return home has meant the world to him.
He said: “It’s been driving me mad not having any rugby but it means I have precious bonding time with my family now. You have to look at the positives in life.”
All rugby league is suspended indefinitely because of the pandemic and Philbin said: “I feel for those lads who live on their own.
“It’s killing me because I love my routine of going training every day with my mates, but at least I have Laura and Bobby.
“A few of the Warrington lads have downloaded Monopoly to play together and that kills a bit of time for them.
“Mentally it is a hard time but we have all got to stick to the guidelines and be as cautious as we can.”
Philbin believes his Wolves will be ready for whatever the season looks like when it resumes.
He said: “All sorts of ideas are being talked about including playing three games a week.
“Obviously there’s player welfare to be talked about but if clubs need to do it to financially survive then as players we would do it.
“If I have to play Monday, Thursday and Sunday to save jobs then I will do it and I imagine everybody would.”