Mcilroy’s lack of hat leads the head-scratchers as golf tees off
Why was Rory Mcilroy not wearing a hat? While that question presented the biggest head-scratcher for many on the first day of the men’s Olympic golf tournament, the sight of Austrian Sepp Straka on top of the Tokyo leaderboard was just as perplexing for most observers.
Despite his seeming indifference coming into the event, Mcilroy appeared to enjoy his debut, opening with a 69, even going so far as saying: “Olympic golf can get up there with the majors.”
So, this was a different Mcilroy, although what viewers found most unusual about the 32-year-old was his lack of a cap. Inevitably, the suspicion was raised that this Nikesponsored individual did not fancy wearing the logo of another sports apparel giant (Adidas, which sponsors the Irish Olympic team). Yet Mcilroy revealed there was another reason. “I have such a small head,” he told the Golf Channel.
Why should that matter? Well, at the 2016 Ryder Cup in Hazeltine he also played capless and explained it thus: “I have a pea head and the hats are way too big for me. I need them custom made.”
Out in the first group, Straka – urged on by twin brother Sam, who is acting as his caddie at these Games – set a furious pace, making four birdies and five pars on the front nine and repeating this scoring feat on the inward half. Paul Casey would not have expected to shoot 67 and find himself four behind a player ranked 161st in the world. Regardless, Casey was thrilled. “There was not an ounce of nerves, just 100 per cent excitement,” he said.