There is no reason for us to panic says Rory
WORLD No1 HITS BACK OVER CALLS FOR NEW SHUTDOWN
RORY McILROY took a pot shot at critics calling for the PGA Tour to be shut down again after coming out of the blocks fast at the Travelers Championship yesterday.
The world No1 opened with a seven-under-par 63 at River Highlands in Connecticut to help lift the cloud hanging over the event after five Covid-related withdrawals.
With the infection rate rising again in the United States concerns had risen over whether the third event of the Tour’s return should be going ahead but McIlroy feels another shutdown would have been an over-reaction.
“You hear one or two positive tests and people are panicking,” he said. “I saw a couple of calls to shut the tournament down, which is silly from my point of view.
“There’s been almost 3,000 tests administered. The percentage of positive tests is a quarter of a per cent. As a whole it’s been going really well.
“It’s not behind us. We’re still right in the middle of this. But it’s just been nice to get back into some competitive golf again. There’s a couple of loose ends that we needed to tidy up and we’ve done that.”
Players have been reminded not to fist bump after rounds, a directive McIlroy stuck to with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau despite the temptation to congratulate each other having gone round in a combined 18 under par.
It could have been even better for McIlroy, who peppered the pin with his approach play only to miss some makeable chances, but he stayed patient to finish with an eagle and six birdies.
“You can get a little antsy so I have to keep reminding myself it’s a 72-hole golf tournament and there’s plenty of chances throughout the week to make birdies,” he said.
“Even after the first few holes where I had chances and didn’t quite convert, you just have to keep telling yourself there are so many more chances coming up.” McIlroy trailed clubhouse leader Mackenzie Hughes, of Canada, by three strokes, one ahead of Mickelson.
The Californian left-hander, who turned 50 last week, had been looking his age with missed cuts in the first two events back but he showed he still has it yesterday. “His longevity is incredible. It really is,” said McIlroy. “It looks from the outside he’s never feared failure and that’s what’s made him such a fan favourite – he takes on things.
“Can I see myself out here at 50? It’s 20 years down the line but I’d like to think that I would still have the love for the game that Phil has at that age.”