McIlroy and his caddie

[Deleted Member 1156]

I didn't overhear any conversations between Rory and his caddie during the weekend coverage but can't help but wonder how much/little influence he had over some of the shots that were played. 11th is a classic example, dumped it in the water 2 days running. I would love to know what input the caddie had in that shot, I'm sure someone forceful like Steve Williams would have grabbed the club off him and forced Rory to play a wedge out to the right side or similar.

Lots of talk this weekend of Rory capitulating but I believe he would have done better with a stronger caddie. Maybe I'm wrong, perhaps he did give advice and Rory elected to ignore it.

Any thoughts?

 

[FairwayDodger]

I think the importance of the guy who carries the bag is often overstated. In this case, though, you might have a point. I was literally shouting at the telly on Saturday when Rory tried to hook the ball out the trees onto the 11th green. Blindingly obvious what would happen! That was only ever a shot for matchplay with your opponent already in close... Certainly not round 3 of the masters.

 

[drdel]

I tend to agree; too many mistakes from someone who is very talented.

In my opinion he often looks as if he'd rather be somewhere else than on the course - perhaps you're right he needs a stronger caddie.

 

[Norrin Radd]

if memory serves Rorys caddy was spoken about in the same way when he threw the masters a few years back ,it was insinuating then that a stronger caddy would have given him a bit more of an earbashing and got him to roll his sleeves up .

 

[need_my_wedge]

Tough one to call without knowing the inside track on their working relationship. But have to say that Rory frustrated the hell out of me this weekend, making the same mistakes day after day, putting himself in the same bunkers on multiple occasions, was awful to watch.

 

[rksquire]

I brought this up this morning at work, and have to agree. On saturday I'm sure JP was thinking about Aintree while RM was thinking about getting frustrated and annoyed!. As FairwayDodger said, that hook on the 11th.... he'd assessed the shot and at the last minute changed club and played the shot. Why didn't JP at least go "Rory, mate, we've looked at the shot and made our call; why are you changing your mind?".

I'm not sure he needs to change, but he maybe needs JP to step up a bit more. Spieths caddie is fully involved and is always bending over a kneeling Spieth when setting the ball down. But also, they talk every shot to death so not sure JP needs to go to that length....

 

[Deleted member 16999]

There relationship is based on years and years of trust and this only comes up when Rory struggles. For all we know he may of blown other majors if it wasn't for JP's input.
Easy to look to shift the blame when it goes wrong.
Even agreeing that it was the wrong club on the 11th it was still Rory who still executed the shot.

 

[freddielong]

I raised this in the other Masters thread I agree he needs to change his caddie, he has a yes man on the bag Rory made some bad decisions over the four days that were not or did not appear to be questioned.

Rory needs to change what he is doing at the moment it isn't working.

 

[Piece]

I agree Gordon, and said similar to my viewing partners at the time. Wasn't their an interview pre-Masters where he said on one hole (2nd or 3rd) I've learnt my lesson and will take a 3w to stop dumping it in the bunker...yet he took driver still with the same result of going in the bunker? Might have got that wrong though...

 

[SyR]

I think the caddie provides more support than most would appreciate. Danny Willet seemed to have a great relationship with his caddy yesterday that seemed to help ease the tension in the round. Spieth's caddy was involved, but maybe needed to take a stronger role to refocus Spieth after his tee shot on the 12th.
I wouldn't be surprised if Spieth changes caddy in the following months.

 

[freddielong]

I think the caddie provides more support than most would appreciate. Danny Willet seemed to have a great relationship with his caddy yesterday that seemed to help ease the tension in the round. Spieth's caddy was involved, but maybe needed to take a stronger role to refocus Spieth after his tee shot on the 12th.
I wouldn't be surprised if Spieth changes caddy in the following months.

Whilst I agree they got the decision wrong with the drop on 12, Spieth and his caddie are a very strong team and I cannot see him changing anytime soon.

 

[cookelad]

There was a good moment on the 18th tee last night with Danny Willet's caddie, just after all the crowd had put DW off, his caddie pulled him back and said "Let's start again"

 

[Val]

Maybe JP has been told by Rory to carry the bag and give yardages and nothing more. There is no patience from McIlroy, he is a player who tries to make things happen rather than be patient and wait his opportunity.

 

[Val]

I think the caddie provides more support than most would appreciate. Danny Willet seemed to have a great relationship with his caddy yesterday that seemed to help ease the tension in the round. Spieth's caddy was involved, but maybe needed to take a stronger role to refocus Spieth after his tee shot on the 12th.
I wouldn't be surprised if Spieth changes caddy in the following months.

Danny Willett during his interviews always used WE when talking about shots etc and that shows how much of a team they are. Spieth's caddy couldnt have done any more at the 12th, the bottom line was his second dump into the water was a hellish shot, he hit it so fat he nearly didnt make the water.

 

[smange]

Maybe JP has been told by Rory to carry the bag and give yardages and nothing more. There is no patience from McIlroy, he is a player who tries to make things happen rather than be patient and wait his opportunity.

You can expect a backlash from the Rory fanboys for daring to suggest Rory himself may have been to blame for not playing particularly well and not brushing aside all the other hugely talented golfers with consummate ease week in week out.

I mean he only holds the club, swings the club and hits the ball but you should know that any poor shots arising from this sequence is in actual fact the fault of either the caddie, the coach, the management team, the golf course, the make of clubs and balls he uses and especially when at Augusta the grass for being so bloody green.

How downright idiotic of you to suggest that Rory may actually not have played well through his own failings 🙄
😉😁

 

[Duckster]

There's been smatterings in the press and on golf podcasts that have been talking about Rory and JP for a few weeks now, not just at the Masters. Personally you see the body language between them both over the past few events they've played in and they just look to be at odds with each other.

To be fair though, the same people also saying similar things with Spieth and his caddie (Greller?).

Like Val says, if they've been told to just carry the bag and give yardages then they are doing their job. Never know what goes on behind closed doors.

 

[Duckster]

Danny Willett during his interviews always used WE when talking about shots etc and that shows how much of a team they are. Spieth's caddy couldnt have done any more at the 12th, the bottom line was his second dump into the water was a hellish shot, he hit it so fat he nearly didnt make the water.

I think Spieth was a bit narked about 12. He was saying in the interview afterwards about how he should have gone to the drop zone where he knew the exact yardage. I read that as being that he was still a bit unsure about the yardage he had and that his caddie should have said something.

Although it was a chunk of a shot.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Maybe JP has been told by Rory to carry the bag and give yardages and nothing more. There is no patience from McIlroy, he is a player who tries to make things happen rather than be patient and wait his opportunity.

Yes there is always this possibility hence the reason I asked if anyone had managed to pick up any of the conversations between them. Bottom line is the player makes the final decision and hits the shots but a smart player will always take on board the caddie's thoughts.

 

[GeneralStore]

I heard Willet's caddie tell Danny "Let's start again", an amazing piece of caddying!

I think Rory has lost the plot somewhat. Too much pumping iron, Nike commericals, tight fitting tops and hanging out with celebs. Get your mind right junior, sort your putting out and improve your course management. He has fallen behind Spieth and Day big time.

The caddy is part of that whole scenario, walks around with his sunglasses on and thinks he is the man. Dont like his attitude, looks to me like that partnership in general is short on motivation, focus and work ethic. A waste of talent.

 

[Leereed]

I can't work out how much they do as to the shot to hit and wind etc, I am sure every pro knows how far he hits every club and knows where the wind is coming from.
i think some might be a calming influence on the player if they have got in a flap.