Rory McIlroy disagreement emerges as star is sent reality check | Golf | Sport
The second golf major of the year is set to commence, with Rory McIlroy chasing further glory at the PGA Championship. The Masters champion, 37, is attempting to claim back-to-back majors at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia and become only the fifth player since 1960 to secure the opening two majors of the year.
He curtailed his practice round on Tuesday after just a few holes, having at one stage taken off his shoe, struggling with a blister on the little toe of his right foot that developed during last week’s Truist Championship. McIlroy reportedly removed the nail earlier but he completed his scheduled practice round on Wednesday. McIlroy will face stiff competition at Aronimink, with many backing world number one and defending champion Scottie Scheffler to return to winning form after a sluggish start to the season. Here’s a summary of the latest golf news…
McIlroy put on notice
McIlroy cannot triumph at the PGA Championship if Scheffler returns to his best, according to Brandel Chamblee. Scheffler has endured a disappointing start to the season by his own lofty standards, producing the “worst golf he’s played in five years.”
However, the four-time major champion remains “still miles ahead of anybody else” when performing at his peak, says the Golf Channel analyst. Chamblee said: “If Scottie plays well this week, Rory can’t beat him. Scottie is so demonstrably better than everybody else, it’s just not close. If Scottie plays his best golf, Rory cannot beat him.
“Rory has been playing professional golf for almost 20 years. If you cherry-pick his best year – it might be last year, it might be ’19, it might be ’14, it might be ’12 – he’s still not as good as Scottie Scheffler.
“Scottie Scheffler is off his game considerably this year. It’s the worst golf he’s played in five years, and he’s still miles ahead of everybody else, and that includes Rory. We’ve not seen what we’re seeing in Scottie Scheffler. You’re talking about as close to Tiger Woods as you can ever imagine.”
Rose disappointed by McIlroy comments
Justin Rose confessed it was a “shame to hear” McIlroy’s comments suggesting driving accuracy might not prove crucial at the PGA Championship. Rose learnt of McIlroy characterising Aronimink as a venue where players could “bash away” off the tee, with the Englishman courteously disagreeing with his Ryder Cup colleague.
“That’s a shame to hear that because that’s not what a Donald Ross [the designer] course is designed to be or historically has been,” Rose said when asked about McIlroy calling it a “bish, bash course.
Rose added: “The rough’s definitely creeping up, though to the point where you got to be respectful, I think.”
McIlroy begins his opening round from the 10th tee at 1.40pm UK time, while Scheffler and Rose, grouped together and starting on the first, are due on the tee at 7.05pm.
