When he knocked in his last putt to close the deal on the PLAYERS Championship on Sunday—mercifully killing off the dominant story of 2019—Rory McIlroy showed little emotion. He didn’t exult or act like he’d got a monkey off his back by finally winning after so many close calls that had the chattering classes of golf wondering if the four-time major champion had lost his ability to win when in contention. Going back to last year, McIlroy … [Read more...]
Pugnacious Patrick Reed’s ‘just go play golf’ approach earned him a green jacket
May 3, 2018 By
Despite his this-is-serious-stuff demeanour and pugnacious personality, Patrick Reed was swinging with rhythm and grace during Sunday’s final round of the Masters. Rory McIlroy looked tight, tense and that he was trying hard—the bounce in his step that telegraphs when he’s feeling good became more of a trudge as the afternoon wore on. It’s my sense the enormity of winning the career Grand Slam, never mind the pressure of winning a Masters, is … [Read more...]
Golfers accused of being selfish–of course they are
July 14, 2016 By
I've always loved that European golfers are for more willing to tell you what they really think than Americans even though it often gets them in hot water. In explaining earlier this week why he has withdrawn from the Olympics, Rory McIlroy said that he really wasn't that interested and that he doesn't play golf with an eye to grow the game. Of course, for that display of candor, he was been absolutely hammered, particularly for the mortal … [Read more...]
“Really?” DJ hangs tough to win his first major. Finally
June 20, 2016 By
Dustin Johnson’s win at the U.S. Open was one of the weirdest and gutsiest in major championship history. In 30 years of paying close attention to golf, I’ve never seen a situation where a player didn’t know if he had the lead, was one behind or two ahead for the final seven holes of a major. Ultimately, he was penalized a stroke by the USGA once he finished the round, but it was moot because he had a four-shot lead. Of course, there’s … [Read more...]
Stop trying so hard and start playing better
April 21, 2016 By
This column appeared this week in Junior Golf News published by the Canadian Junior Golf Association, but the core message is also applicable to all golfers. Here’s some hard-nosed advice for bringing your competition to its knees during this competitive golf season: Don’t try so hard. If you’re reading this column, I’m pretty sure that you have worked your tail off: You’ve likely put in the hours hitting balls through the winter and you … [Read more...]
