RIP- ROR ING SUCCESS
McIlroy’s buzzing... he’s got his Major mojo back says Lyle
REVITALISED Rory McIlroy has been backed to banish his Major blues at Brookline and bury the bad vibes surrounding the Saudi breakaway.
Former Open and Masters champion Sandy Lyle is convinced the Northern Irish ace can end his eight-year drought in golf’s big events after hitting form at the right time. McIlroy won the Canada Open in stunning style last Sunday and is looking to roll that confidence into the first round of today’s US Open.
The build-up has been overshadowed by the unrest sparked by the LIV Golf series. McIlroy has been the poster boy for the PGA Tour fightback but Lyle (inset) is convinced the four-time Major champion can park the politics and claim the big prize. The Scot, 64, said: “US Opens are tough but McIlroy winning in Canada, that couldn’t have happened at a better time for him.
“He needed that boost. You can’t go into a drug store and buy that boost of energy, of confidence. It has to be earned and that’s through winning. And that’s what he did really well, he looked like he enjoyed it.
“If I was going to put money down,
I’d pick McIlroy right now because of the momentum of winning. Scottie Scheffler would be right behind and Dustin Johnson would be next.”
Lyle is delighted McIlroy is leading the charge against the big-money Saudi project, but he admitted the battle has only just started for the heart and soul of golf.
Lyle said: “Rory might be the one that would be hit with the Saudi thing, the carrot under your nose, money-wise, Tiger Woods as well.
“Rory would be the No.1 that they would want – they would want someone like him to play. But he’s looked at all the ins and outs and the dos and don’ts and the don’t knows.
“Yes, there’s big money. But there are a lot of don’t knows in the longevity of it, how it’s going to unfold. It’s a bit like a court case – it could go on for another year, it could go on for another five years.” Brookline was the scene of the infamous 1999 Ryder Cup battle and Boston fans have a reputation for being the rowdiest in the business. However, the locals got behind Phil Mickelson, despite his leading role in the Saudi split.
Hometown hopeful Keegan Bradley said: “I was putting on the first tee yesterday and Phil was getting ready to tee off and he got a monster ovation. People cheering.
“He is going to be just fine. It sounded like the same Phil Mickelson, with the crowd, as I’ve always heard.”