Wednesday 29 September 2010

Will Rory McIlroy's comments come back to haunt Europe?

Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has warned Rory McIlroy: be careful what you wish for.
It takes a brave, confident young man to goad the greatest golf player that has ever lived but it could turn out to be pure stupidity on the part of Rory McIlroy.

Tiger Woods is not the man he was. He has had a turbulent year, suffering a loss of form and the end of his marriage.

While his game has gone off the boil it is testament to the character of the man that he keeps battling on. He is not the Tiger who has one 14 major titles to date and the fact his game is not quite up to scratch at the moment can only benefit Europe. But McIlroy's comments could not have been worse.

In cricket, sledging is a huge part of the game but even the Australians will leave certain batsmen well alone. They will never sledge Sachin Tendulkar or a Brian Lara because the great players do not need extra motivation.

“After what's happened in the last 18 months, I suppose a little bit of that aura is probably gone,” said McIlroy.

Woods finished an astonishing 18 over par at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, prompting 21-year-old European team rookie McIlroy to say anyone of his team mates at the Ryder Cup would fancy their chances against the world number one.

McIlroy is a fantastic golfer, a fantastic prospect and someone who could win a huge number of major title. First he needs to learn how to deal with the media. These comments may sound good but they will only come back to haunt you.

It is also not the first time McIlroy has caused controversy. His comments saying about the Ryder Cup not being important and nothing more than an “exhibition” maybe true but to the golfing public it is a showpiece. A trophy full of history and importance.

There may come a time – after the weekend – when the youngster might regret all of his comments

Tiger needs no firing up but if he has not got extra incentive after McIlroy's jibes then he will not add to his 14 majors and any hope he has of passing Jack Nicklaus's 18 should be forgotten.

However, Woods is the ultimate competitor and come Friday morning McIlroy may get his wish and find himself up against a invigorated Tiger.

Throughout this week the American has looked in menacing mood and when asked about McIlroy's comments about wanting to play him Woods replied: “Me too”

Woods, 34, has a well documented poorer record in Ryder Cup format - won 10, lost 13, halved two – but if you are comparing it to his individual record of course it looks bad.

But if you compare it to other American's like Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk – who have played in more Ryder Cups than Woods – it reads favourably.

Woods needs the Ryder Cup this time and he sees it as a way of settling a few scores. With the media, McIlroy and even Montgomerie.

Europe's captain asked if had a choice of any Americans for his team who would it be. It was not Woods.

If there is one American who does not need any extra motivation from Corey Pavin it is Woods.

This could be his Ryder Cup time and the European team maybe queueing up to have a crack at golf's stellar name but this could be the time he comes good in this format. In the grand scheme of things the Ryder cup is not important in Tiger's long-term plan but it would be just the tonic to help Woods regain form, fans and his love of the game.

If it happens do not bet against tiger going onto win back a few if not all of his major titles. McIlroy and Europe you have been warned.

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