Rory McIlroy ended a run of three of the DP World Tour’s biggest tournaments labelling them more authentic, pure, and not as corporate that he really liked.
McIlroy had gone close to victory both in the BMW PGA Championship and also on home soil at the Irish Open before winding-up at his attempt at a maiden Dunhill Links Championship success with a disappointing no-frills share of 25th at the Dunhill Links Championship.
However, this week in the Home of Golf nation was still a special time playing as he did with his father, Gerry as partner, and while it was not the 65th birthday celebration dad had hoped for, it seemed Saturday night’s affair within the Old Course Hotel was one to remember as McIlroy revealed.
“There was not much gas left in the tank after last night’s birthday party”, said McIlroy smiling.
MORE AUTHENTIC, MORE PURE AND NOT AS CORPORATE …
Admits @McIlroyRory when when asked about & over the last three @DPWorldTour including #dunhilllinks
✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/giztOJxpaO
— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) October 6, 2024
“Though all is good as a cold shower and a couple of double scotches got me going while it was lovely to have both mum and dad here this weekend.
“It was really special also last night as the whole room sang ‘happy birthday’ while there was a fantastic birthday cake for dad”.
McIlroy will take a break from competition before returning in early November for the closing two events on the 2024 DP World Tour schedule in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
However, he was asked his thoughts on the trio of British and Irish events and host venues he had now just played.
“I’ve loved them, absolutely loved them,” said McIlroy. “I appreciate them more as I get older, yeah.
“I did an interview last week and I said that one thing that I love when I come back here is the tournaments just feel a little more authentic, and pure, and not as corporate and I really like that.
“In a way, it brings me back to the amateur days, when you are not playing for anything more than pride or vouchers in the pro shop or whatever.
“I think as well the crowds at the Irish Open at County Down and Wentworth (venue for the BMW PGA Championship), even here as well, honestly compared to the three FedEx Cup Play-Offs events, they were bigger and the atmosphere was better.”
Fourteen LIV Golf players, led by Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen, were in the field for this year’s Dunhill Links at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews while McIlroy was joined in flying the PGA Tour/DP World Tour flag by the likes of Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick.
“Exactly,” replied McIlroy to being asked if it was a taste of what might be in store for the game at the other side on ongoing talks between the two traditional tours and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
“I am really proud of my record in national Opens. If you could do something where you could prioritise those and stand those up, I think that would be really cool and get us back to the good old days.
“I regard my Australian Open win as one of the best victories of my career. Adam Scott was the Masters champion in 2013. I hadn’t had a great year. It was my last chance to get a win and I did.
“I went down there and played all four rounds with him and pipped him. That gave me a huge boost of confidence going into 2014. It was a great platform to build on.
“Even getting beaten in a play-off by Graeme Storm for the South African Open in 2017 was big. The national Opens provide unbelievable experiences with great crowds. The atmosphere is amazing. To get a little bit more of that would be great.”
McIlroy heads into his short break with still a healthy 1,500 point lead in the Race to Dubai rankings as he bids to claim that title for a third year running and sixth time in total while if he does win the 2024 title he draw level with Seve Ballesteros if he can land a sixth Harry Vardon Trophy.
Rory McIroy heading to Dubai next month looking to capture the Race to Dubai money list for a sixth occasion, Image DP World Tour
“Yeah, it’s the only thing to play for now this year,” he said. “So, yeah, it is a big priority and I am really proud of my record in it and proud that I am going for my sixth win.
“I like going to Dubai with a chance to do that and Dubai is one of my favourite places to play golf – a lot of good memories there. So I want to try to finish the season off on a high note.”
Of course, McIlroy’s impact on the Race to Dubai title drew mention of Colin Montgomerie’s record of being crowned No 1 eight times in his sights?
“Maybe, yeah,” he said with a smile. “Obviously I’ll probably never do the seven in a row he did, but the eight total? If I keep playing well and I keep prioritising. I think that’s the thing. I’ve really tried to prioritise it the last few years.
“There was probably a period there of maybe five years where I didn’t prioritise it as much and maybe didn’t play enough golf needed to accumulate the points and give myself a chance.
“But I think over the last few years one of my goals has been to try to win both sides of the Atlantic. It’s getting harder and harder as I get older and older and don’t want to keep going back and forth as much. But, at the same time, I know that I still have the capabilities to do it so while I still have them I may as well try.”
