An Ode to the newest Superstar: Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is the kind of success story that gives you a warm feeling in your spines. The Irishman has neither the ‘super talented, single focus, no fun’ athlete nor is he the perennial bad boy wonder. Rather he is the affable, happy go lucky character that you would meet around you and not pay second attention. But he is attention grabbing, at least his golf his. After winning the US Open by a record breaking 16 under par score, he did remark almost nonchalantly, “I should have held some of my putts today.”
But you would not put it against the kid for whom praise for his talent has come in equal measure to praise of him being the ‘graceful loser’. He does not have the mindset yet to take over the golfing world ala Tiger Woods but it is just a matter of time. He doesn’t have to rebuild his swing every 3 years like Tiger, so he can devote that time to building the psyche of a champion.
Rory has had a tough couple of years especially at the majors. Last year, as a favourite for The Open at St. Andrews he justified his billing by shooting the course record in the first round. However what followed was nothing short of ‘murder’. He hit a 8 over the next day having run into bad weather. However he was back the next day and shot a 68-69 to end the tournament without hitting a 70 and finish tied third. People felt bad for the ‘good natured chap’ who took everything in his stride and smiled on.
Two months ago at Augusta, something remarkable happened. We have heard of ‘chokers’ in sport. The inability to force a win has troubled many teams. However the most successful sportspersons always have the knack of getting just the little bit extra when it all matter – Sir Alex Ferguson and his team, Michael Schumacher, the Australian cricket team in the early part of this decade. Rory at Augusta was wonderful for 63 out of the 72 holes. In fact he entered the last day with scores of 65-69-70 behind him and four strokes ahead. He hit one over in his first 9 holes and was still leading before he dramatically capitulated. He finished the day with a score of 80. While the world wondered how he conspired to lose the tournament, Rory himself left with a wry smile on his face knowing that he just needed the last 9 holes to go his way. He was content in the fact that he had come up short even after giving it his best.
Last weekend they did. And thank God that there was no one mounting a late chase lest we saw him fail again. But he didn’t and the whole golfing community came out in genuine praise for the lad that everyone likes and now respects. If only he learns how to finish the deal and put the tournament to rest, we shall perhaps have the next golfing superstar-one who does not come with Frown 3.1 and Attitude 6.7 installed.
Tags: Golf, Golfer, Rory McIIroy, Tiger Woods, US Open
