It used to be very easy to identify Rory McIlroy’s weaknesses — putts inside five feet and wedge play from 120 yards in.
Notice we say “used to be.”
The Rory McIlroy that is looking so good as 2022 draws near an end is now solid with the putter and his wedge play has gotten really, really good. Add that to his driver weaponry and golf is getting to be a lot of fun for Rors.
And that’s incredibly noticeable. This observation from McIlroy spoke volumes after his victory at the CJ Cup last Sunday:
“I feel like I’m enjoying the game as much as I ever have. I played with that joy and it’s definitely showed over these last few months.”
Back in the 70s, I believe Andy Bean summed up life on the PGA Tour with this observation:
“When you’re playing good, there’s nothing better. When you’re playing bad, there’s nothing worse.”
Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since Rory turned pro and showed up on the European Tour at age 18.
Rory’s latest rise to No. 1 marks the ninth time he’s risen to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings.
Next up for Rory will be a trip to Dubai for the DP World Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship starting Nov. 17th where Rory will try and add the Race To Dubai title to his 2022 FedEx Cup Championship.
Tom Kim Looking Forward To A Break After A Huge Run:
Tom Kim was ecstatic last week when he was paired the first two rounds of the CJ Cup with Rory. Kim’s rise in the world of golf has been meteoric — he’s now 15th in the world and the highest-ranked Korean star. He’s also passed Rookie Of The Year Cameron Young (17), Max Homa (18) and Hideki Matsuyama (19).
Obviously inspired by his grouping with McIlroy, Kim opened at Congaree with rounds of 66-69. He managed a 69 on Saturday but Sunday showed fatigue from his long run of playing and “only” managed a closing 70 on Sunday, which shows how strong his game is. When 70 is your bad round, well, this kid’s the real deal.
Kim finished T11 and is looking forward to a little time off.
Alas, there is something hanging over his head — the issue for all players from South Korea. When will Kim have to take time away from golf to serve his two years of required military service in the South Korean Army?
LIV And The Majors:
It’s a long way until April and the first major of the 2023 season but the LIV/world ranking controversy rages on.
LIV is demanding “instant” status for it’s exhibition/free-beer-giveaway series. Past rules and protocols be damned, LIV wants it now, its way, the rules don’t pertain to The Infidels.
The OWGR process has been around for more than four decades and the process is the process. Normal time for OWGR status is 24 months and that simply irks the heck out of The Lamest Commissioner In All The Land (aka Greg Norman, aka The Great White Fibber) who told his minions that they’d have World Ranking points for their recently-completed foray in Saudi Arabia.
Once again, The Lamest Commissioner is wiping the egg off his face. His “tour” fails to meet the first requirement for rankings — 72 holes of competition.
Also, The Infidels have backed off after claiming they’d start their own major championships.
Somehow they must have discovered that tradition cannot be purchased.
There’s a good chance that the four major championships (the real majors), won’t ban any LIV players who are exempt into certain majors — ie — all Masters champions under the age of 60 are invited. Same for the Open Championship.
Doing nothing just might work against those LIV lawsuits.
