Golf Channel talking head Brandel Chamblee is paid quite well to “stir the pot” when things tend to get a little quiet in the world of golf.
He does it quite well.
Chamblee knows how to get attention and he got plenty this week when he turned his focus to Rory McIlroy and the young fella’s fitness training.
Chamblee tossed out this nugget:
He brought the old dog that is Tiger Woods into the fray and wondered out loud if McIlroy “could follow Tiger Woods destructive path if he continues his ‘extreme weightlifting.” He also threw in there that he is “wary of Tiger’s example in the gym.”
Yes, Rory’s really toned up and strengthened his body but “extreme weightlifting”?
Brandel is pushing the envelope with that tag and he’s getting plenty of pushback on social media.
The Prince of Golf Fitness, Gary Player, had this tweet on the matter:
“Haha, too funny. Don’t worry about the naysayers mate. They all said I would be done at 30, too.”
Here’s Rory’s take on his fitness routine:
“I wasn’t big into the gym. I couldn’t stand on one leg for more than 10 seconds and I couldn’t hold a plank for more than 30 seconds. I have no ambitions to squat 500 pounds like some guys you see. I’m strong enough to control the golf club the whole way through my swing and that’s basically what I need to do.”
If you’d like to take a closer look at Rory’s work in the gym, you can check out this Nike-produced segment on Rory’s training.
The problem with Tiger Woods is that he suffered a lot of injuries and yes, he did bulk up big-time.
Did that hurt Woods?
Only Tiger knows the answer to that and he’ll never tell.
