19th Hole
Rory McIlroy accused of being ‘out of touch’ following post-round comment at Bay Hill
Bay Hill played difficult on Sunday. As a result, fans got to see a back-and-forth event with the leaderboard constantly in flux for much of Sunday’s final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It was an exciting finish, and Kurt Kitayama (200-1 pre-tournament) ending up pulling off the shocking win over stars such as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrrell Hatton.
When speaking after his round, Rory McIlroy gave a bit of a strange response to what he believes fans want to see.
Rory today: "The lead's changing hands with guys making bogeys, not really birdies. So don't know how people find that entertainment value."
This is a point players, Tour often miss. We like when it's hard! We like seeing bogeys! Birdies aren't cool when everyone's making them!
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) March 6, 2023
Dan Rapaport of Barstool Sports added his opinion, saying,
“This is a point players, Tour often miss. We like when it’s hard! We like seeing bogeys! Birdies aren’t cool when everyone’s making them!”
Most of the twitter users replying to the tweet agreed.
I prefer birdies over bogeys however today was glorious
— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) March 6, 2023
What separates players is not the easy but the challenging, fair but demanding. When you make it easy and favor birdies, you eliminate the mental grind side of the game, which makes it the most addictive
— Bhrett McCabe, PhD (@DrBhrettMcCabe) March 6, 2023
Kind of out of touch comment from Rory. Fans love tough golf more then 27 under micky mouse ? cupcake ? golf. Seeing the best have to struggle makes us all feel better about ourselves stinking. Not to mention more drama and unexpected twists then Birdie ? fest golf.
— Drizza77 (@drizza77) March 6, 2023
It was a fantastic leaderboard with 4 guys at 8 and 3 at 7 in the last hour. What’s the problem?
— Todd Bailey, PGA (@ToddABailey) March 6, 2023
Such an odd take by Rory. It’s almost like he’s become a bit detached from real golf and become one of the elite who doesn’t understand what fans want.
— Golf Lover UK (@GolfloverUK) March 6, 2023
I'd rather watch and play a Tournament where Par on the last 9 Sunday is actually worth something. This Course set up where 6 to 7 birdies are made from dartboard greens is boring stuff.
— Scott Hend (@hendygolf) March 6, 2023
That’s why a hard US Open is such a good watch.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) March 6, 2023
IMO Rory is out of touch with the audience here. Majority of golf fans that tune in every week enjoy watching players tackle new obstacles, new course challenges, not partake in birdie fests.
— Alec Kowalczyk (@AlecKowalczyk4) March 6, 2023
I think we can all agree that a difficult test on Sunday and watching the world’s best struggling a bit on the golf course to see who overcomes the challenge is what most golf fans want to see!
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- Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
- Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
- ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst no. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing one of the new sensations in the world of golf – Ludvig Aberg. The 24-year-old finished solo second at the Masters a couple of weeks ago, and gained many plaudits, including from several WRXers.
- RELATED: ‘There were a number of red flags’ – Ludvig Aberg reveals why he turned down multiple LIV offers
One member, RoyalMustang, took to the forums to explain why Aberg is now their favorite player, saying:
“I loved the way the Ludvig was out there, having a great time, not taking himself or the situation too seriously. Even after the double at 11, he was like “well, that’s golf!” Loose and relaxed: that’s the way to play. It’s obvious he loves what he’s doing, he loves the big moments, and he loves being a part of it all.
Arnold Palmer was viewed that way. Just like Brooks Robinson was forever viewed as not just a great baseball player, but a great human being and friend to Baltimore.”
And our members have been reacting and sharing their positive takes on the young Swede.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- redfirebird08: “Ludvig has a great attitude, a great smile, and a great golf swing.”
- otto6457: “I’m very lucky to have talked with Ludde several times at the Rawls Course at Texas Tech. He’s a truly nice guy and very friendly. Always said hello when we passed each other in the club house and was always smiling. Watching him hit balls on the range was a joy. He has “that sound” and trajectory to die for. There were many times he was out on the range in 30+ mph winds just hitting the most beautiful shots that just seemed to ignore the wind. World class ball striker. And yes……..I am a fan boy.”
- konklifer: “I like him. In an era of endless waggles and laboring, his swing and pace of play are a joy to watch.
Entire Thread: “Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss”
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19th Hole
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Over the past year or so, PGA Tour star Patrick Cantlay has taken a great deal of criticism for his pace of play.
Now, Cantlay is once again under fire for a questionable decision he made on Sunday at the RBC Heritage.
After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, whose ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.
On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.
Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and return to chip and putt on Monday morning.
Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision-making.
Can’t believe my eyes watching Patrick Cantlay why on earth would you hit your second shot then mark your ball absolutely crazy, maybe says a lot ?
— Ian Woosnam (@IWoosnam) April 22, 2024
Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 Monday morning.
Following his round, Cantlay explained his decision to wait to hit his third shot the next morning:
“I really did want to finish last night, so I felt like if I could get the ball up there maybe in an easier spot, maybe I would have finished, but as I got the ball up near the green, I realized it would be easier to finish this morning. That’s what I decided to do.”
GolfWRX has reached out to Patrick Cantlay’s management team for a response to Woosnam’s comments.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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