Golf-Maiden U.S. victory helps lighten McIlroy’s load (Reuters)
May 3, 2010
By Andrew Both
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 2 (Reuters) – Lumbered withthe burden of being labeled “golf’s next big thing” RoryMcIlroy’s breakthrough PGA Tour victory on Sunday could notcome soon enough for a man yet to celebrate his 21st birthday.
“I got to seventh in the world at the start of the year andI’m thinking, ‘if I’m the seventh best golfer in the world Ishould be competing’,” McIlroy told reporters after registeringa stunning four-stroke victory at the Quail HollowChampionship.
“I was putting a lot of pressure on myself, which youshouldn’t. Sometimes you need to sit back and (realise) you’redoing pretty well and just put things into perspective a littlebit.”
Despite possessing a wealth of talent, the NorthernIrishman had only one professional victory to his name prior tothis week, early last year in Dubai, before he blew away amajority of the world’s best players with a magnificent closing36 holes.
A final round 10-under-par 62 was a perfect way to breakhis American duck and lift the self-imposed pressure in onefell swoop, completing a rite of passage that fellowprofessional Padraig Harrington claims is a must for anyaspiring great.
“There’s an awful lot of pressure on him,” three-time majorwinner Harrington said of McIlroy. “At home, no matter how hedoes, the focus is on him all the way through Europe.
“When he plays in Europe he’s a big star and when you’renot winning, you’re not delivering and it becomes a burden.
“It’s amazing the difference when you get a win. He will bea lot more comfortable with who he is, a lot more patient.”
ALL ABOUT WINNING
Harrington was speaking after Ryo Ishikawa shot a closing58, the lowest score ever on a major international tour, to winthe Crowns tournament in Japan, but before McIlroy had won.
Asked who he thought was the more impressive of the two,the Irishman gave the edge to Ishikawa but felt a victory forMcIlroy could change his opinion.
“To be honest, it’s about winning. Ryo’s well ahead of theothers but if Rory wins here today, different story.
“It’s very hard when you throw someone out of their comfortzone (and a) win over here for Rory would be massive.
“Winning in Japan or Europe, that’s very important too, butto be a world beater they’ve got to leave their comfort zoneand win, and if Rory wins today, that’s what he’s done.”
McIlroy could have easily missed out on his maiden U.S.victory after struggling through the first two rounds before aneagle on his 16th hole on Friday allowed him to make the cutwith nothing to spare.
“That was the most important shot of the year,” he said ofthe four-iron he struck to within six feet of the cup.
“I said yesterday, that it could have been the turningpoint of my season but I think today I’ve confirmed that.”
McIlroy grew up following the feats of Tiger Woods but overthe next few years it may be the world number one admiring theBriton’s achievements.
“Tiger set the benchmark so high,” McIlroy said two daysahead of his 21st birthday. “We want to achieve that. Even ifwe don’t get to that level, it’s still pretty good.” (Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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