151 replies to this topic

[jak_bot]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/28072011/2/golf-mcilroy-makes-wrong-kind-splash-ireland.html

Golf-McIlroy makes wrong kind of splash in Ireland
Rory McIlroy dismayed a huge adoring gallery on Thursday when the U.S. Open champion dunked his ball into the water at the 18th hole to run up a double-bogey six in the Irish Open first round.

The 22-year-old local hero said rustiness was the likely cause as he posted a one-under 70 that left him three shots behind the early pacesetters.

"I think I was probably rusty," said McIlroy who has played little golf since finishing tied 25th in the British Open two weeks ago.

"I was caught in two minds with a few shots, which isn't like me, and was not very decisive off the tee," the world number four told reporters.

McIlroy later shared a bitter exchange on Twitter with American Jay Townsend, a former European Tour player who now works for BBC radio.

Townsend tweeted: "McIlroy's course management was shocking. Some of the worst course management I have ever seen beyond under-10 boys' golf competition."

McIlroy quickly replied: "Shut up ... you're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!"

His six at the 18th came when he tried to reach the green from sand.

"Fairway bunker play wouldn't be one of the strongest parts of my game," the Northern Irishman told reporters.

Earlier, McIlroy played a stroke which he placed in his all-time top five, bending his ball around trees and on to the green at the 14th after having produced another erratic tee shot.

It was not the best of mornings either for 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell (72).

One Northern Irishman was going well, though. Colm Moriarty claimed an early share of the lead on 67 with a group which also included defending champion Ross Fisher of Britain, Australian Richard Green and Dane Soren Hansen.

The other two players attracting a huge crowd at Killarney, British Open champion Darren Clarke and three-times major winner Padraig Harrington started poorly in the afternoon with early bogeys.

[tembolo1284]

wow...that's harsh from Rors.

.sorry to say but that's just not classy.

Edited by MrParr1Noid, 28 July 2011 - 11:54 PM.
Be mindful of the terms that you are using.

[ChrizZ]

jak_bot, on 28 July 2011 - 08:48 AM, said:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/28072011/2/golf-mcilroy-makes-wrong-kind-splash-ireland.html

Golf-McIlroy makes wrong kind of splash in Ireland
Rory McIlroy dismayed a huge adoring gallery on Thursday when the U.S. Open champion dunked his ball into the water at the 18th hole to run up a double-bogey six in the Irish Open first round.

The 22-year-old local hero said rustiness was the likely cause as he posted a one-under 70 that left him three shots behind the early pacesetters.

"I think I was probably rusty," said McIlroy who has played little golf since finishing tied 25th in the British Open two weeks ago.

"I was caught in two minds with a few shots, which isn't like me, and was not very decisive off the tee," the world number four told reporters.

McIlroy later shared a bitter exchange on Twitter with American Jay Townsend, a former European Tour player who now works for BBC radio.

Townsend tweeted: "McIlroy's course management was shocking. Some of the worst course management I have ever seen beyond under-10 boys' golf competition."

McIlroy quickly replied: "Shut up ... you're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!"

His six at the 18th came when he tried to reach the green from sand.

"Fairway bunker play wouldn't be one of the strongest parts of my game," the Northern Irishman told reporters.

Earlier, McIlroy played a stroke which he placed in his all-time top five, bending his ball around trees and on to the green at the 14th after having produced another erratic tee shot.

It was not the best of mornings either for 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell (72).

One Northern Irishman was going well, though. Colm Moriarty claimed an early share of the lead on 67 with a group which also included defending champion Ross Fisher of Britain, Australian Richard Green and Dane Soren Hansen.

The other two players attracting a huge crowd at Killarney, British Open champion Darren Clarke and three-times major winner Padraig Harrington started poorly in the afternoon with early bogeys.

This is how this thread is gonna turn out thanks to the Rory groupies on this board.

"Wow, such an admirable young 22 year old. He really speaks his mind and stands up for himself!"

"Townsend had no right to criticise our messiah. Rory did the right thing"

"Rory is going to win 32 1/2 majors. He can say whatever he wants!"

"Tiger sucks!!!"





"

Edited by MrParr1Noid, 28 July 2011 - 04:48 PM.
Please refer to the rules on profane language.

[DevilGolfer]

How long until he claims his account was 'hacked'?

[Bellyhungry]

Rory is a gift to golf writers...

Edited by Bellyhungry, 28 July 2011 - 09:06 AM.

[tnord]

i was pulling against RM during the masters, the inlaws i was watching with were pulling for him and wanted to know why i didn't like him.  i mentioned something about cockiness, and his comments about tiger before he had accomplished anything. his humbleness after his collapse and the next couple months won me over, and enjoyed watching him in person at the US Open.

now it appears as if my initial reaction may have been correct, and i'll happily pull for DJ, Fowler, Watney, and others to beat his butt.

[sgniwder99]

ChrizZ, on 28 July 2011 - 09:04 AM, said:

This is how this thread is gonna turn out thanks to the Rory groupies on this board.

"Wow, such an admirable young 22 year old. He really speaks his mind and stands up for himself!"

"Townsend had no right to criticise our messiah. Rory did the right thing"

"Rory is going to win 32 1/2 majors. He can say whatever he wants!"

"Tiger sucks!!!"

Well, you're probably half right. There's also bound to be plenty of "What an arrogant punk," and "Tom Watson/Jack Nicklaus/Ben Hogan/Bobby Jones/Tom Morris would never do something like this," and "I have lost all respect for McIlroy" (it's actually kind of amazing how many times some people can lose all respect for the same person), and of course, "Wait until Tiger comes back and kicks."

Either way, I'd say it was ill-advised.

Edited by MrParr1Noid, 28 July 2011 - 04:47 PM.

[Skaffa77]

Rory...Rory...Rory.   Someone needs to take away his cellphone/twitter account.

[J.W.]

I think its kinda funny.  He said something most guys are probably thinking about certain members of the media.

I used to hate Rory but hes definitely growing on me.

[tbowles411]

DevilGolfer, on 28 July 2011 - 09:05 AM, said:

How long until he claims his account was 'hacked'?

He probably won't but one thing for sure...I think the glare of instant fame and celebrity is beginning to wear on the lad a bit too soon.  Thus the price of fame in the instant media world.

[J13]

Dizz, on 28 July 2011 - 09:16 AM, said:

I think its kinda funny.  He said something most guys are probably thinking about certain members of the media.

I used to hate Rory but hes definitely growing on me.

Agreed.  The media can't just say whatever they want and expect these people to just take it.  Jay Townsend crossed a line by comparing his course management to a 10 and under competition.  No need for that.

[HCEG1]

On the golfing stage, one is a litle-known commentator who never achieved anything of note as a player and doesn't even warrant a mention on the European Tour website

The other happens to be, arguably, the hottest talent in world golf at the moment

However, both should have engaged their brains before opening their mouths

Faldo was far less severe when he criticized Tiger's swing on one shot at the Buick years ago (and as an analyst, he was being paid to comment/criticize) Nick's pedigree as a world-class player is obviously beyond any doubt, yet that incident is still far from forgotten and/or forgiven

Rest assured that Townsend will not be on Rory's Christmas card list, nor on a lot of others, I'd wager....

[CosmosMpower]

The media member was being childish to provoke the player and he recieved a childish answer back.  Probably not the best way to handle it but it is what it is.  I don't see Rory as generally running his mouth or being disrespectul.  I think his interview after the epic collapse at the Masters proved that he has class.

[oldhamer25]

Don't press send

[rebby]

CosmosMpower, on 28 July 2011 - 09:30 AM, said:

The media member was being childish to provoke the player and he recieved a childish answer back.  Probably not the best way to handle it but it is what it is.  I don't see Rory as generally running his mouth or being disrespectul.  I think his interview after the epic collapse at the Masters proved that he has class.

Exactly. I have no issue with his response. Then again, I'm not uptight. Grain of salt, taken. Funny tiff back and forth, time to move on. No big deal.

[gators78]

I think it's hilarious but the problem is it gives this idiot Jay way more attention that he deserves.

[Obsessotron]

The guy was making a failed Johnny Miller attempt and Rory put him in his place, I love it!

[broth518]

While Rory should be above that Jay Townsend has rubbed a lot of people the wrong away in the media but also on Twitter.

[WilCox]

Townsend crossed the line by making an insulting comment that was totally uncalled for.  However, I can't defend McIlroy's response either.

[TheDarkOne]

tembolo1284, on 28 July 2011 - 09:04 AM, said:

wow...that's harsh from Rors.

sorry to say but that's just not classy.

Let me tell you something Tembolo, there's nothing wrong with what Rors said, or the fact that he defended himself against this mindless failed goof. For to long golfers have cowered away from criticism and acted like robots who could only give PC responses to this kind of garbage. Now the best player on the planet doesn't take any BS from these goofs, and I support him 100%.  I know you well enough Tembolo that you wouldn't take this, Rors ain't gonna take it, and baby you know I would never take it.



Now maybe if Mr Townsend wants to challenge Rors to a match, will see how this all turns out. Of course he won't because he throws endless insults at famous people behind a computer but would never have the stones to confront them outright, I hate people like that.

[MileHighClub]

blhoff, on 28 July 2011 - 09:40 AM, said:

Townsend crossed the line by making an insulting comment that was totally uncalled for.  However, I can't defend McIlroy's response either.

Agreed.  One showed his lack of class and the other showed his immaturity.

[SHIVAN]

Said just about what I would have said.  Next time I saw Townsend at an event I would say it to him again, face to face.  When one gentleman insults another, he sometimes get smacked by the white glove and challenged to a duel with pistols at 20 paces....

Wait, what....?

[skinny99]

I like Rory fine, I am not a fanboy of anyone however. I do like Rory standing up for himself though. So many people are so scared to speak their mind in fear of offending sponsors and the like. Stuff like tweeting opens up the coward in people, I am glad Rory slammed him back. Do you think Jay Townsend would have made those same comments face to face with Rory? And if he did would you expect Rory to sit back and give a nice "PC" response to it? Like a lot of Keyboard cowboys these days they are very brave hiding out and typing when there is no one face to face with them.

[skinny99]

TheDarkone you caught me typing!

[lowballbomber]

While Rory's response was not the best, Townsend DEFINITELY crossed the line with his remarks.

[BigPete]

Storm in a tea cup that will undoubtedly get blown massively out of proportion.

Rory went on to say he stands by his caddie's decision  - Jay said fair enough.

That was the end of it but I bet this will run to 5 or 6 pages...

[S70B]

Well Tweeted.



Who is Jay Townsend btw?

[TheBoomer]

gators78, on 28 July 2011 - 09:36 AM, said:

I think it's hilarious but the problem is it gives this idiot Jay way more attention that he deserves.

\

+ 1 million.

He knew he would get that kind of response from Rory.

[LUMA]

As funny as I think Ror's comment was and sounds exactly like something I would say, wasnt cool to publicly say that. No tact in that one.

But remember, when we were 22, or at least when I was, I didnt give a @%&#!

Edited by LUMA, 28 July 2011 - 10:01 AM.

[OldTomMorris]

completely merited response from rory as townsend made a point of using mcilroys twitter ID in his tweet so he meant for him to see it. he jabbed him with a sharp stick and got his just desserts. he'll now struggle to get a post round interview for GCs ET coverage anytime soon.