WITH THE Ryder Cup just over a week away, Rory McIlroy’s status in the eyes of the United States has been highlighted by Jim Furyk, who claims the Northern Irishman will be a “marked man” at Medinah.
McIlroy’s stunning season and rise to number one in the world renders him the most prominent member of the European side. Furyk, who earned a wild-card pick for the United States, will also line up against the 23-year-old during this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake.
“He’s the number one player in the world,” said Furyk. “He’s going to garner all the attention, as he well should. He has played phenomenal this year. He won his last two events and no matter how he plays here at the Tour Championship, right now he’s the present-day Tiger Woods, where everyone’s eyes are on him. Tiger is still Tiger; I think everyone would love to see that pairing in the Ryder Cup.”
Greg Norman has offered a damning critique of Woods’ current position by claiming the former world number one is cowed by McIlroy. “What I’m seeing is that Tiger’s really intimidated by Rory,” said Norman. “When have you ever seen him intimidated by another player? Never. But I think he knows his time’s up and that’s normal; these things tend to go in 15-year cycles. Jack Nicklaus took it from Arnold [Palmer]. I took it from Jack, Tiger from me and now it looks like Rory’s taking it from Tiger.”
There is thought to be little love lost between Norman and Woods but the Australian’s sentiment is still notable. “I used to say in my early or even mid-20s that it doesn’t take long for a Rolls-Royce to warm-up. But the older you get, you can’t do that any more,” Norman said.
Davis Love III, the United States captain, says his steps to give Medinah a slightly easier set-up will favour his team.
“I told them to cut the rough,” said Love. “Our guys are long hitters, kind of free-wheeling players, so I didn’t want there to be rough that you had to just chip out of. It’s going to look like a Major, but it’s going to play probably easier than a Major. That benefits our team.”
Meanwhile, Lee Westwood insists there is no feud between himself and McIlroy. Rumours of a rift between Westwood and the world number one were fuelled when McIlroy parted company with International Sports Management in October last year. The 39-year-old Worksop player had exchanged words with McIlroy on Twitter after his split from ISM, but claims he would be happy to be paired with him in Illinois.
“There is nothing there,” Westwood told the Daily Telegraph. “Fans must watch us having banter on the course thinking, ‘So where is this grudge? So he left the management company I’m with. So what? It was a business decision. There is nothing personal with me.”
Guardian Service
