Last Words On Rory And Chubby...For Late-October '11

Huggan and Elling go at it in Pond Scum this week:

Huggan: So, this was a surprise more than a shock. A few weeks ago I spoke with someone close to both Chubby [Chandler, McIlroy's now former agent] and Rory. He could see problems ahead. To no one's surprise, Rory was starting to behave like anyone would if they were 22 years old, hugely talented and rich beyond imagination. I see this as part of a young man exerting the power he is just starting to realize he has. There have been huge changes in his life over the past year. The new girlfriend. Moving to America -- again. This latest event is just part of all that.

Elling: At first, I laughed when a USA Today blogger characterized McIlroy's girlfriend, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, as Yoko Ono, who broke up the Beatles, depending on who you want to believe. Now I am wondering if maybe there is something to it. Either way, The Ballad of John and Yoko has been stuck in my head for two days.

Huggan: My one hope is that he doesn't become distracted from the thing that has got him where he is -- his game. He remains an enormously likable lad, but he is changing. Given all that is going on in his life, we should not be surprised by any of it. Besides, I have a feeling his parents -- especially his mum -- will sort him out if he gets too out of control.

And John Strege wonders just how much Chubby Chandler's high-profile nature might have impacted the wildly successful partnership.

We don't know the genesis of McIlroy's decision, but it's not a stretch to conclude that ego was a participant in it. Chandler's oversized personality in concert with the success of his clients elevated him to celebrity (recall talk of the "Chubby slam" when his clients, including McIlroy at the U.S. Open, won the first three legs of the Grand Slam). Maybe McIlroy chose to disassociate himself from Team Chandler.