Mcilroy: Hard work starts now
Irishman determined to keep world No 1 ranking Rahm could be biggest threat in Los Angeles
Rory Mcilroy could already claim to have bragging rights over Brooks Koepka, as he has finally leapfrogged the American into the world No1 position. Yet the Northern Irishman could not resist a little dig on the eve of the event where he intends to strengthen his new status.
After Mcilroy had missed the cut at last year’s Open and then, the next week, was dismantled by Koepka in the final round of the World Golf Championship event in Memphis, the latter dismissed any talk of a rivalry between the two highest-ranked players in the world. “I just don’t see it,’ Koepka replied. Clearly that irked Mcilroy.
When asked at the Genesis Invitational yesterday if he had enjoyed the “back and forth” with Koepka, Mcilroy replied:
“Have we? It feels like it’s been a one-way
[street].”
There was more than a hint of a smile on the 30-yearold’s face, but (United States) Age 29. WR: 2. Pts avg: 9.155 Needs a top seven finish to reclaim the mantle he held for almost a year. His form outside the majors continues to baffle. everyone should be clear that when he ventures out at Riviera Country Club at 7.16am Los Angeles time (3.16pm GMT) today there will be nothing but seriousness in his attempt to ensure that his return to the top of the rankings does not amount to a single week.
“Everyone keeps saying congratulations but the work’s only started, it’s staying there is the hard part,” Mcilroy said.
The vagaries of what plainly has to be a complex system meant that Mcilroy reclaimed the mantle when he was not playing last week. Considering that it took him more than 1,600 days to recover the standing – the longest period in the 44-year history of the rankings – it could have been termed an anticlimax.
Yet after a remarkable 13-month spell – in which he might not have added to his haul of four majors, (N Ireland) Age 30. WR: 1. Pts avg: 9.187 Has recorded top fours in his past four events and finished fourth on his debut at Riviera last year. Has to be favourite. but won four titles and finished in the top 10 in 20 of 26 starts – Mcilroy refused to moan about the absence of a champagne moment on Sunday evening this time around.
“I’ve already had that euphoric moment in 2012,” Mcilroy said. “I won the Honda Classic [in 2012] to get to No 1 and Tiger was coming down the stretch when I was able to hold him off. That was the really cool moment.
“So, at least, I’ve had one of those moments, that’s nice. But to me it doesn’t matter if I was sitting at home on the couch and got there. I think as long as you do get that experience, especially the first time you get there, that’s all you need. “Look, it’s a calculation based on how you’ve played the last two years and I’ve played consistently well and the mathematics add up that I’m top of the list right now. And I have a chance to stay there this week.” Koepka remains a mystery outside of the majors, although the 29-year-old, who has won four majors and only two other PGA Tour events, at least has a legitimate reason for his mediocrity so far this year. A knee injury required stemcell surgery and he should be given time to play his way back in. Koepka does not appear obsessed with recovering the world No1 spot on Sunday.
“I just want to play good golf,” Koepka said. “It doesn’t matter if you play good and it doesn’t get you to No1. You played good. You can get outplayed by Rory pretty quickly. But if he wins and I finish second, and I give it all I’ve got, there’s nothing wrong with it.”
Jon Rahm might be more of a threat. In his past six events, he has won twice and finished second twice. He emulated Severiano Ballesteros by winning the European Tour order of merit last year and the 25-year-old would dearly love to emulate his hero once more. “To think I could become just the second from my country to become world No1 is incredible in my eyes,” the Spaniard said.
With nine of the world’s top 10 in attendance, the attention will not just focus on this trio. Tiger Woods has never won at Riviera, despite it being the closest course to where he grew up. If he finally prevails, then he will take the outright record of most PGA Tour wins with 83. There would be tears. (Spain) Age 25 WR: 3. Pts avg: 8.66 Needs at least a top two to become second Spaniard to top rankings. Two wins and two seconds in his past six starts.