RORY’S HAPPY SLAPPED
Starts Thursday
NEIL McLEMAN
NEW dad Rory McIlroy is just too happy to win the US Open this week, according to Paul McGinley.
McIlroy became a father for the first time two weeks ago, when his wife Erica gave birth to Poppy Kennedy in Florida.
“She is the absolute love of our lives,” the four-time Major winner wrote on Instagram.
McIlroy returned to action to record his first top-10 finish since lockdown at last weekend’s Tour Championship.
But before the second Major of the season at Winged Foot, McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup captain McGinley reckons the 31-year-old might lack the drive to win a second US Open title.
McGinley (right) said: “Will fatherhood help Rory’s golf? I have my doubts.
“I feel Rory is better when he’s got a point to prove rather than in that really happy space in his life, which he seems to be at the moment with the baby.
“And rightly so. It’s OK to enjoy it. But is it going to aid his mindset? I’d question that.
“Long term, I think it will be good. But it’s a question of getting the bit between his teeth again.
“We are lacking an edge from him and that’s when he’s at his best – when he’s got an edge, he’s got a point to prove and he’s on the front foot.”
Sky Sports expert McGinley also reckons the Northern Irishman will struggle on the tough New York course where Geoff Ogilvy won with a score of five OVER par in 2006.
“Rory’s won 28 events and all of them have been a winning score of 12-under or better,” added Dubliner McGinley.
“So he likes those courses where he can unleash his game and take it by the scruff of the neck and really overpower the course.
“This is going to be a really difficult test and Rory hasn’t excelled in the past in those kinds of events when level par is the winning score.
“You can’t be too critical, he’s had a phenomenal career so far. But if he wants to be considered one of the greats of the game, he still has to o win that Grand Slam, and he still l has to win on a really, really difficult golf course.
“Has he got it in him to do it? Yeah, absolutely. Has he got the mental capacity? Yeah.
“I think it’s a question of unleashing it and getting focused d on it, using the words of the critics ics and saying ‘I’m going to show you’. ou’. That’s when Rory’s at his best.
“But when he’s Mr Happy and he’s doing all these interviews and everything’s wonderful in this life and everything is great... . historically, that’s when I don’t think Rory is as at his best as a competitor.”
Watch the US Open from first tee to final putt each day live on Sky Sports Golf.