Rory McIlroy, a ‘talker’ who doesn’t want more pressure than usual

The scheduled appearance is at 9 am. Rory McIlroeand it is on everyone’s lips. last won at royal liverpool and Sunday’s winner with two spectacular final holes of open Scottish. He’s in the spotlight this week, he’s the ultimate favorite, with permission from Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. They are the top 3 in the world. There were many expectations. However, a few minutes before the scheduled time, the journalists recognized for British tomorrow that the official press conference was canceled at the request of McIlroy himself.

Just like a month ago in Los Angeles. He suspended it at the US Open in June and did it again this week at the Open. What are the reasons? What’s wrong with Rory? Well, simple and clear, it’s pretty much up to the top of the head with questions about LIV, the agreement, the use of the PGA Tour in the papers that reached the investigation opened by the US Senate, and what I will haunt you, brunette He doesn’t want more pressure and if in recent months he has been a “spokesman” for players on the American circuit who stayed playing on the PGA Tour and “attacked” those who defected, this time he said it again. , without saying it , that it is enough to show your face and get wet for each other this first semester of the year.

The Northern Irishman spoke for the Open the previous day on the practice field, although this Tuesday was an ugly gesture towards the R&A. The hype created after lifting the Jug in 2014 has been present in every one of his appearances since, and the US PGA Championship, which took place two months after his victory at Hoylake, made him only the third player to win four majors at the age of 24.

The failures and disappointments of the past 9 years have been many and accompanied by varying degrees of suffering. A night in the shared lead gave him a serious chance of winning last year’s 150th Open at San Andresyes, but an inspiration cameron smith took the honors after a run of birdies on Sunday, while last month he missed out on a second US Open by one stroke against wyndham clark.

McIlroy’s many loyal fans must be convinced by now that “hope kills” and, true to form, the 34-year-old looks set to return to his best in time to attempt a repeat title at Royal Liverpool.

He crossed the finish line at the Renaissance Club to win the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday, holding on amid a late reaction from home favorite Robert MacIntyre in what could have been an important psychological boost.

“I feel amazing, I don’t feel like I have to prove anything in my career, but it’s satisfying to know that I can still do it. It’s great to have five first place and top ten, but it’s much better to walk away with the trophy on Sunday afternoon. It’s a great confidence booster.”

The next day, McIlroy was in good spirits during his practice round, his Irish eyes smiling as he chatted with two of his fellow champion golfers, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington.

Rory hopes to be in the same spirit on Thursday as a good start is vital to his ambitions. When McIlroy won here in 2014, he did so in consecutive 66s. Two eagles in his final three holes, helped by what he considers one of the best he’s ever played, rounded out a 68-shot Saturday, and another 71. Conservative enough on the final day for McIlroy to prevail by two strokes and become the seventh player to lead a British Open from start to finish.

“It seems like a long time ago,” he said after the weekend’s victory at North Berwick. “You’re trying to relive those memories as I’m driving from the airport on Sunday night and arriving at Hoylake. I haven’t been here since 2014, so I’m trying to bring back those memories and trying to re-introduce myself to the range and the club, the first tee and everything else. It’s good to come back to any place where you had success, it’s always a good feeling,” he added.

Spectators of McIlroy’s every shot this week will feel the same way, hoping he ends the drought that seems set to end soon for a player so good. The Holywood man may not have followed the script that seems to have been laid out for him since his last spell at Royal Liverpool, but golf’s oldest major isn’t wasting a fairy tale and there will be some more famous winners if history repeats itself. of 2014. in this corner of England.