Professional Golf

[Lucifer MorningStar]

No problem. To clarify, my post was a direct reply to yours just as you happened to be the guy that made a comment at the time, but it was more of a general view / frustration I have. So, I don't necessarily believe YOU are the one that is looking to be offended, but it is more related to the people that compile the memes and continually throw negative comments around social media any chance they get regarding McIlroy, even for the most trivial of things he may have said or done. Hence when I see a tweet that has clearly extracted a few seconds from a much larger interview, I can already see the agenda that the creator is intending to push. And they know it will get hits.

I personally wasn't crawling up his backside by simply suggesting I don't think he meant anything crass about what he said. And I am unashemedly a fan of Rory McIlroy, like many others globally. His ability is key to that, and his presence on the leaderboard at the weekend was the only reason I watched the event on Sunday myself. For me, however, it may go a bit further than that, because he is from 10 minutes down the road from my hometown. His coach Michael Bannon was the club pro at my hometown club, where I started playing golf (and was still there before I left for England). My grandparents would frequently watch Rory on the practice ground outside, while they had their coffees in the bar during the off season, before Michael went across the pond to work full time alonside McIlroy a few years ago. I've never met McIlroy, don't know him, but I guess it is that sense of naturally supporting the local lad that done well. I know there are many back home that are immensely proud of producing a golfing icon from our little corner of the world, for what he has done on the golf course, but also that he has become a person where people are genuinely interested in his opinion. He hasn't become another generic sporting person, that gives stock answers to everything.

I don't chip in to every Rory debate on this thread, very few in fact, but I will from time to time voice my opinion when others start one. And I'm not always "pro McIlroy", in the sense that I have been critical in the past about his choice of caddy. That being said, I don't really care too much about that anymore. Once he won the Masters, I think he has hit the pinnacle, and anything else is just a bonus. It is not like he can challenge Jack Nicklaus's major record unless something crazy happens with his form, and Scheffler suddenly hits a downward spiral.

Fair and honest response I can respect every word you’ve written and seems unbiased. As I’ve said I won’t go into further about as there are so many on here that even a sniff of anything other than positive about Rory they go into meltdown and full on defence but will over look it when he behaves petulantly like he’s some kind of messiah but anyone speaks against him and they’re out in full force, it’s actually quite embarrassing.

Anyway I am a Rory fan he’s a phenomenal player but regardless I will call out what I think is unnecessary for or against. But we’ve had a respectable exchange and that’s what matters. Now back to more important things and the weeks golf ahead.

 

[Slab]

Dunno if its on telly yet but ET website doesn't seem to be updating players scores for about the last hour, (i.e no players on holes 1-5) is play suspended or something ?


edit:
Actually it looks like it could just be the 2 tee start and players doing back nine first coming round to 1st tee
(I hate Uk based websites that have times noted but doesn’t also say if its local to event, local to your location or GMT)

 

[BrianM]

Just read that Andrea Pavan fell down an elevator shaft with no lift there, hopefully a speedy recovery, horrible news.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Just read that Andrea Pavan fell down an elevator shaft with no lift there, hopefully a speedy recovery, horrible news.

Fell several floors I believe. Stuff of nightmares that.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Just been reading the Pavan news, states the doors opened even though the elevator wasn't there, he fell multiple floors. Injuries don't appear to be life threatening but he was in surgery for a number of hours.. Absolutely horrific news, wishing him a full recovery and hopefully we see him back on tour.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I don't think Tiger did Brooks any favours when he changed the rules to get him back on the PGAT. It's just put a massive spotlight on a guy that is struggling for form, and quite possibly struggling with self belief and confidence.

A season playing a handful of DPWT events figuring out his game might have been better for him - I like Brooks but if he doesn't find something soon it will just compound the situation for him.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027276108706566220

 

[Orikoru]

I don't think Tiger did Brooks any favours when he changed the rules to get him back on the PGAT. It's just put a massive spotlight on a guy that is struggling for form, and quite possibly struggling with self belief and confidence.

A season playing a handful of DPWT events figuring out his game might have been better for him - I like Brooks but if he doesn't find something soon it will just compound the situation for him.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027276108706566220

Give him a chance. It probably takes more than a couple of weeks to adjust back to playing proper, competitive golf again.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I don't think Tiger did Brooks any favours when he changed the rules to get him back on the PGAT. It's just put a massive spotlight on a guy that is struggling for form, and quite possibly struggling with self belief and confidence.

A season playing a handful of DPWT events figuring out his game might have been better for him - I like Brooks but if he doesn't find something soon it will just compound the situation for him.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027276108706566220

It’s his career in a nutshell - he has periods where he isn’t at top form and then the majors come along and he steps up - a streaky player

It’s prob going to take him a while to get used to more regular high level tournaments again

 

[Neilds]

It’s his career in a nutshell - he has periods where he isn’t at top form and then the majors come along and he steps up - a streaky player

It’s prob going to take him a while to get used to more regular high level tournaments again

5 under today. Maybe people are a bit quick to judge after 1 round?

 

[IanM]

Eddie Pepp made the cut with a few shots to spare!

 

[Mel Smooth]

5 under today. Maybe people are a bit quick to judge after 1 round?

I'm not judging him on one round, I'm judging him on how he's struggled for form for a year. He had one podium on LIV in 2025 - but aside from that was very average. Of course all golfers go through fallow periods, but the PGAT have literally made up rules to fanfair the return of a man who will struggle in fields that aren't particularly strong. I don't think that's good for Brooks - hope I'm wrong - I like the guy and he's had a tough time.

 

[IanM]

...although was heralded on Liv as a top name, multiple Major winner.

So, hardly a suprise either way. Literally.

 

[jim8flog]

Watching the SA Open couple of facts came up that I had no idea about

Gary Player won it 13 times
Bobby Lock played in it 9 times and won 9 times

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I'm not judging him on one round, I'm judging him on how he's struggled for form for a year. He had one podium on LIV in 2025 - but aside from that was very average. Of course all golfers go through fallow periods, but the PGAT have literally made up rules to fanfair the return of a man who will struggle in fields that aren't particularly strong. I don't think that's good for Brooks - hope I'm wrong - I like the guy and he's had a tough time.

Maybe judging him on last year should be done with full context of what he and his family went through. Pretty sure most people’s golf would be crap dealing with that lot.

I love Brooks attitude towards golf and people I can see him coming back strong and he’s never been prolific at regular events but he’ll of a Major contender.