Tag Archives: Rory mcilroy

Best Ever – Nicklaus? Woods? McIlroy?

Two time major winner and former world number one Greg Norman thinks that Rory McIlroy has what it takes to break Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record, and even more chance than Tiger Woods.

McIlroy who is currently the best in the world has two majors under his belt at the moment and is a long way off getting anywhere near Tiger’s record let alone Jack’s. Woods hasn’t won a major in four years but in my opinion still has a lot of golf left to play, and he more than anybody will be determined to surpass Nicklaus’ record.

McIlroy has had a great couple of years but I think people are getting carried away, sometimes talent isn’t enough to sustain a long career, you need sheer determination, has McIlroy got that? I don’t know but I think the next couple of years are crucial if he is to have any chance in becoming the greatest player to ever play the game.

 

The End Of a Great Year For McIlroy

Well the inevitable happened at the weekend and not even a record breaking round of 62 from Justin Rose (his lowest round on the European Tour by two) could prevent Rory McIlroy from capping his incredible season with victory at the DP World Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman not only held the challenge from Justin Rose but also from World Number Two Luke Donald who he was paired with. It’s been an incredible year for McIlroy also winning the US Money List, the US PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup.

As seasons go it doesn’t get much better than that and it will be interesting to see how this effects him next year. Will he be as determined? Will the $120 million deal with Nike spur him on or will the new clubs leave him struggling? I’m looking forward to finding out, are you?

Donald Leads McIlroy By One In Dubai

It was former number one Luke Donald who was back to his best today shooting a superb 65 to take the lead of the DP World Tour Championship, but he’s got the company of current number one Rory McIlroy sitting just one shot back following a fantastic 66.

Donald set the early place and showed that last weeks win at the Dunlop Pheonix in Japan was a sign that he is back to his best and competing with the likes of McIlroy again.

McIlroy didn’t have the best of starts but came to life on the back nine, with five birdies in seven holes putting him right back into contention where he loves to be.

The Northern Irishmen finished the day on six under par alongside Scotland’s Marc Warren  and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain.

All of the big names are  near the top of the leaderboard waiting to pounce tomorrow and hopefully set up a terrific weekend for us to sit back and enjoy.

Will McIlroy Cap His Season Off In Style?

Rory McIlroy is eager to finish off a fantastic season in style with a thumping victory in this week’s  Tour Championship in Dubai. 

The Northern Irishman heads up a 57 strong field of outstanding talent at the Jumeirah Golf Estates,  where there will be 28 of the season’s champions on display, but unfortunately McIlroy has already secured the European Tour Order Of Merit so it might not  be quite as exciting as we hoped. There is still £6million up for grabs though this week so there will still be plenty of competition on the golf course among the players.

It starts on Thursday and will most definitely be a great spectacle to watch!

Fatigued Woods Takes Extended Break

Former world No.1 Tiger Woods  has said that he is looking forward to a break from golf and blamed fatigue as the reason for not competing in this week’s $7 million WGC-HSBC tournament at Mission Hills in China. 

After a recent busy schedule which has included an exhibition match against Rory McIlroy, Woods decided he needed a break. By his own standards he hasn’t had the best year in golfing terms. He has won tournaments and has always been in contention but the putter has gone a bit cold on him. At times he has looked lost and strained and at times he looks like he’s thriving on the golf course. I for one think a break will do him good.

He will be playing in his own tournament before putting the clubs away until next year. I honestly believe Tiger will be back to No.1 in the world next year. Don’t hold me to that though!

 

Poulter and Rose Looking To Win Another WGC Title

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter are looking to turn their very impressive team record into individual success this week at Mission Hills in the WGC  – HSBC Champions.

The pair have represented England twice in the World Cup at Mission Hills finishing fourth and second in 2007 and 2011 respectively.

But this week they will both be competing  individually for the their second World Golf Championship and there was some strange questions at the press conference. Rose asked Poulter how he could beat them this week as he was in such good form, to which Poulter said that Justin was ”better off the tee and hit more greens than him but just needed to improve with the putter”

Not bad advice from one of the best putters in the world and maybe as they are best friends Poulter should give him some advice on the greens?

Once the banter was out of the way, Poulter said that his experience of Mission Hills and the fact he has partnered Ross Fisher here twice – could be a big advantage for him.

Rose could take a big step to chasing down McIlroy this week….. should be another weekend of exciting golf ahead.

 

McIlroy Sees Off Tiger In Head-To-Head

Today was the eagerly anticipated showdown between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at Jinsha Lake Golf Club in China. It was over 18 holes and was tight all the way with McIlroy eventually winning by a shot over world No.2 Woods.  McIlroy shot a 67 and got off to a fast start with two birdies in the first three holes. Woods carded six birdies and two bogeys in his round of 68 and couldn’t overcome the great start from the Northern Irishmen.

Both players had to make long journeys after they were competing in the business end of different tournaments across Asia, McIlroy finishing second and Woods finishing fourth respectively but that didn’t stop them producing great golf at times. Tiger was fresh off a 63 at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia and is showing signs of being back to his best, he just needs to get that putter working and I can see him overtaking Rory next season.

Hanson Leads By Two Heading Into The Weekend

A brilliant round of 64 gave Peter Hanson a two shot advantage over Rory McIlroy after round two of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

McIlroy really did look in good touch as he started  to get into a nice groove on the back nine and really did turn the style on, but could not match the brilliance of his Ryder Cup team mate.

Overnight leader Jamie Donaldson teed it up in  the second round four shots clear after his course record 62 but failed to capitalise with a disappointing 74  leaving him six shots back.

World number one McIlroy carded seven birdies for his 65 which got him to 12 under par and Hanson hit nine birdies leaving him at 14 under par.

It should be an exciting weekend ahead, all the top players are lurking waiting to make their move but for me McIlroy looks calm and in control, I think it will take something special to beat him come Sunday.

Rose Looking To Jump McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is being chased down in the battle for the Race to Dubai. Justin Rose will give everything he’s got to try and hunt down the World No.1 Rory McIlroy and take the title that the Northern Irishman already has one hand on.

Rose currently standing at  No. 5 in the world is lying second in the standings but with up to $7m up for grabs this week at the BMW Masters in Shanghai, The Englishman knows a huge week here could see him catch his Ryder Cup team-mate.

Rose will be playing alongside Westwood and McIlroy in the final group that gets started on tomorrow morning. Can Rose pull it out the bag?

 

McGinley Set To Be Next Ryder Cup Captain

Europes’s leading players are giving welcomed support to Paul McGinley in his quest to becoming the next Ryder Cup captain. They think he should be the main contender to replace Jose Maria Olazabal as captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and he will have the home advantage this time especially as Europe haven’t lost the cup on home soil since 1993 at The Belfry.

McGinley has been quite successful  in team golf in the past. He’s played in three winning Ryder Cup teams and has holed the winning putt 10 years ago. Rory McIlroy and Peter Hanson have both giving McGinley their backing, who was one of Olazabal’s vice-captains at the magical Medinah comeback.

The Irishman has also captained Great Britain and Ireland to wins in the  Seve Trophy twice, McIlroy said: “He was fantastic there and has also been a fantastic vice-captain.”

McGinley wears his heart on his sleeve and is as passionate about the Ryder Cup as anyone that iv’e known to be involved in the whole set-up in the past. I think he would make a great a captain and he will also have the respect of his players and his peers. Role on 2014!