After enjoying a close encounter with a large male lion Rory McIlroy is the clearly ‘Big Cat’ at this week’s BMW South African Open.
McIlroy starts his new season contesting the event for a first time since 2008.
And he began his quest with a visit to the famed Londolozi Private Game Reserve located within the greater Kruger National Park.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” McIlroy reckoned.
“They tell you’re safe in the car but then the Lion roars and you feel the vibrations in your body. It’s truly something special.”
The current World No. 2 is head and shoulders above rest of the field with South Africa’s ‘Big Three’ – Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel – electing to skip the first event of 2017 Rolex Series.
And after Nike pulled the plug on its golf equipment business, McIlroy tees-up with whole new arsenal in his bag – Callaway woods and irons, Odyssey putter and Titleist balls and wedges.
McIlroy’s spent some time testing the new gear at the Els Club in Dubai and will be hoping to avoid the embarrassment of four years ago when he teed-up in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with his new Nike clubs but then proceeded to horribly miss the cut with a pair of 75s.
Rory McIlroy ready to roar at this week’s BMW South African Open. (Photo – European Tour)
“I’m lucky enough to be have been able to test some of the equipment out in Dubai but then there still may be changes ahead,” he hinted.
“At the end of the day, it’s about the player at the end of the club so as long as I’m swinging well, it should be fine.”
And organisers have Ernie Els to thank for luring McIlroy to the Glendower in Gauteng on the outskirts of Johannesburg, and after Els had agreed to contest the 2015 Irish Open at Royal County Down.
“Rory is by far the class player in the field when you look at the world rankings,” said Els.
“He’s the guy everyone will be looking up at to beat. There’s so much excitement among everyone, from the players to the spectators, that he’s here and I’m really looking forward to seeing him in the field.
“Of course, (defending champion) Brandon Stone has had great success in South Africa in the last year and he’ll bring unbelievable confidence into the tournament, after winning last year and after what he did at Leopard Creek (in December), and then there’s George Coetzee and Richard Sterne. But golf is a funny game and there will be a lot of rust on a lot of guys, so it’s quite a tough one to call.
“But yes, it’s hugely disappointing that Branden, Charl and Louis are absent. South Africa loves them and would love to see them play, especially in their home open. Hopefully, they’ll get this tournament onto their schedules in future.”
