Rory Only One Modest About Rory

Since some of you across the Atlantic get a little worked up because I've dared to question the British press hype machine (and Lord knows, I've never picked on the American version), I will ignore the "boy wonder" reference or the 10-majors-before-30 wager you can pick up, or his agent's breathless email/press release and leave it to Rory McIlroy for some perspective on Rory McIlroy's accomplishments, courtesy of Karl McGinty:

"I mean, I've just won my first event and it's great, but I have still got a long way to go," added Rory, who's just as level-headed in dealing with comparisons between himself and Woods, a player he's idolised since age six.

"I don't think anyone can be compared to Tiger," he said. "I'll never be able to do what he has done for golf. Hopefully, one day, I'll be able to win Majors -- what's he done, 14 of them? Well, I just hope to keep getting better and better and trying to win golf tournaments. If I can do that, I'll be happy.

Now that's impressive!

Comments

[The Big K]

At least he knows how many Majors Tiger has won (compare to one Mr. Kim)

[thusgone]

i like his game, and it sounds like he has his head on straight. hope it stays that way.

[Stan Ferguson]

Glad to see you finally give him some credit, Geoff! The coverage on this side of the Atlantic is definitely overblown, but, leaving all the "next Tiger" hype to one side, you can't knock what he's achieved in such a short time.

[Lynn S.]

There are so many variables that go into making someone successful for an extended period of time, but I do remember Judy Rankin on the British Open telecast about 3 years ago saying, she hadn't seen many players who could generate so much club head speed through the ball. If she was impressed, then so am I.

[SGarrett]

2009 will be an interesting year for Rory. He is currently set to play his very first 10 events in the US (listed below from his website) and possibly more if tournament sponsors and/or Finchem elects to give him more invitations.

Even though I grabbed him in a 2009 fantasy game (PGAT starts only) - I expect less from in the next 7 months than in the past 7 - simply because he will likely need a year or so to get used to US courses and fields.

Could he hit the ground sprinting like Woods did when he turned pro in 1996?

Maybe.

But, he could also be like Garcia (7 PGAT wins and no majors after a decade on PGAT).

He will be very interesting to watch - as will young RYO from Japan.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

McILROY's current proposed 2009 schedule in the US

25 Feb - 01 Mar 2009 WGC - Accenture Match Play
05 - 08 March 2009 - Honda Classic
12 - 15 March 2009 - WGC - CA Championship
02 - 05 April 2009 - Shell Houston Open
09 - 12 April 2009 - MASTERS TOURNAMENT
16 - 19 April 2009 - Verizon Heritage
07 - 10 May 2009 - The Players Championship
18 - 21 June 2009 - US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
06 - 09 August 2009 - WGC - Bridgestone Invitational
13 - 16 August 2009 - PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

[Jordan]

Off topic: nice trophy. Beats the crystal crap they hand out over hear. That thing looks like it would hold many beers.

[Brian Keogh]

"I'd like to congratulate Rory on his fine achievement. I'm glad I got in before he wins one. I am sure he will win a few Open Championships in the future." Padraig Harrington's Open Championship acceptance speech, Carnoustie, 2007

[On Tour]

What no LA Open on his schedule??? I thought he was getting the Bernie Darwin exemption this year!

[Scottt]

Who was the last bloke to crack the world top 15 at the age of 20?

This is one of the very rare examples where the hype may well be justified, IMO.