News
Rory McIlroy defends USGA: “They’re trying to help the game”; Compares grand slam journey to Abraham Lincoln
In a week which has seen a number of players criticize the USGA for their new rule changes, and the organisation itself having to issue an embarrassing apology after revealing that Justin Thomas had not, in fact, dodged any meetings with them as they had previously suggested, one man has taken the time to defend the governing body.
Speaking prior to this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, Rory McIlroy explained why he believes the USGA deserves “a bit of leeway”, citing how the organization has its heart in the right place.
“I think that the governing bodies are a very easy target right now in the game of golf and it’s very easy for people to jump on the bandwagon and sort of criticize. But all these entities in golf, they’re not trying to do anything bad for the game, they’re trying to help the game in some way. So I think we all have to give them a bit of leeway here and say, yes, they probably made some mistakes, but we all do. And I’m sure they will get it right eventually.”
Additionally, McIlroy revealed his frustration that the sport as a whole, which unlike others he believes, has become entirely obsessed with the rules.
“You had that blown call in the NFC Championship game or whatever with the Saints and there was some debate about that, but I’ve never known a sport to be so tangled up in the rules of the game or the rules of the sport.”
The Ulsterman is at Bay Hill this week looking to defend the championship he won in dramatic style last year, but even with some massive events still to play in the coming weeks, the Masters looms large on McIlroy’s calendar, who will make his fifth attempt at completing the career grand slam in April.
For the 29-year-old, he’s hoping that he’s not the only one to enter into the exclusive career grand slam club in 2019.
“How good would it be this year if Jordan won the PGA, Phil won the US Open, I won Augusta and three others are put into that group?
How good would that be for golf? That would be awesome. I would love them to do it. It’s all about exposure and golf would be right in the centre of all sports stories if that were to happen. Which is great for everyone involved in the game.”
The closest McIlroy has come to victory at Augusta was back in 2011, where the Irishman surrendered a four-stroke lead on the final day, while McIlroy failed to find his best when playing in the last group on Sunday in 2018 with eventual winner Patrick Reed.
According to the man himself, he has become “comfortable” with the pressure he faces at Augusta, knowing full well what a victory at the event would constitute. Signing off, McIlroy gave this analogy between his grand slam quest and President Abraham Lincoln’s initial political struggles.
“I guess I’ve become a lot more comfortable with the fact that I’m going to fail more times than I succeed at that certain, whatever, conquest or whatever you want to call it.
So I’ve become comfortable with the fact I’ve tried four times, I’ve failed. But Abraham Lincoln lost the first 13 elections he was ever in. He wound up being the President of the United States. So I still got a bit of time.”
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Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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Jamie
Mar 7, 2019 at 10:01 pm
Even history’s worst despots were just “trying to help”. Please stick to Irish history Rory. Lincoln was a criminal who violated state’s rights. 13th amendment not passed until 1865.
Eddie
Mar 7, 2019 at 9:56 am
Kiss up comment always in his own self-interest. Rory’s a cheater. Faked a stance on the cart path to try to coerce a drop. Rules official called him on it. WGC Mexico Sunday Hole 6 if anybody wants a replay.