The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
McIlroy seeks Europe Ryder boost on back of FedEx victory
Palmer’s career also made a major contribution to the rise of the International Management Group (IMG), the worldwide company which not only serves as the agent for dozens of leading players, but also runs tournaments, builds courses and televises events.
Since 1979, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando – which he bought in 1974 – has been a fixture on the PGA Tour, with Woods winning the title eight times. Palmer’s presence traditionally ensures one of the strongest fields of the season, but the tournament host was not afraid to express his disappointment at those who did not play, with a suitably chastised Rory McIlroy belatedly making his debut in 2015.
“It’s Arnold’s tournament so it’s nice to come here and honour him and all that he’s done for our game and this Tour,” the Northern Irishman said.
The final word should go to Palmer’s great friend and rival Nicklaus, who was better placed than anyone to appreciate exactly what Palmer did mean for the game.
“Arnold’s place in history will be as the man who took golf from being a game for the few to a sport for the masses,” Nicklaus said.
“Arnold was the catalyst who made that happen.”
Palmer, whose first wife Winnie died of ovarian cancer in 1999, is survived by his second wife Kathleen Gawthrop, two daughters, six grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren. Europe’s leading golfer Rory McIlroy hopes he can bring momentum to his team’s bid to win an unprecedented fourth successive Ryder Cup after his Tour Championship victory.
The world number three triumphed in a three-man play-off – which included the United States’ last wildcard pick Ryan Moore – at East Lake in Atlanta to win the PGA Tour’s seasonending event.
He also pipped the inform Dustin Johnson, expected to be one of America’s leading players at Hazeltine Golf Club later this week, to the £8.8million FedEx Cup prize.
He has now won twice in three weeks on the PGA Tour to come into form at just the right time.
“Paul McGinley, the previous captain, texted me and said this is the first of hopefully a lot of momentum for Europe during the next few days,” said the 27year-old. “Hopefully, in some way, it helps the team.
“I think when I get myself in situations like this, over the last couple of years anyway, I seem to produce my best golf when I need it.
“I’ve never gone into a Ryder Cup with this much excitement coming off the back of something like this.”
The last month has brought a turnaround in fortunes for McIlroy, who was becoming increasingly frustrated because of struggles with his putting.
Missing the cut at the US PGA championship in late July proved to be something of a watershed in his season as it provided the wake-up call he needed.
“I need weeks like that. I’ve always benefited from things like that in my career,” he added.
“I always feel like from a low point I can work myself back up, and can really assess what I need to do.
“I think it was blatantly obvious what I needed to do after Baltusrol, in terms of trying to fix my putting or to at least address some issues with it.
“I started on a process to do that and I didn’t think results were going to come as quickly as they have.
“I’ve played really well but I also putted well. I’ve converted more of my chances.
“The margins are so small in this game so it was nice to just set the reset button after the PGA.
“I have goals and ambitions, I have drive to work hard for something else and I really wanted to work hard to try to at least give myself a chance in the playoffs and then the Ryder Cup.
“I want to be in the best possible shape to try to help the team.”
“Man who took golf from being a game for the few to a sport for the masses”