‘No Effing Double Bogeys’ … Nicklaus Reveals His McIlroy Message Ahead Rors Joining Jack As Back-To-Back Masters Champ,

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Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus has revealed his closing round message to Rory McIlroy ahead of Ror’s capturing back-to-back Masters titles and in the process join Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only golfers in the history of the game to capture back-to-back Augusta National titles.

Nicklaus, as is customary, visited the media centre at this week’s Memorial tournament where he again delighted in chatting with the attending media.

Golf’s Golden Bear addressed a number of subjects including this year’s event being the 50th anniversary of the touranment, the host Muirfield golf course and even this thoughts on the PGA Tour’s ‘Signature Series’.

However it was Nicklaus response to his thoughts on McIlroy capturing back-to-back Augusta green jackets that delighted really delighted those listening on, and given the great friendship that has materialised between the duo.

“Well, I was delighted for Rory, obviously. You know, I told you — I mean, I didn’t tell you,“ said Nicklaus.

“We sat down — I think we sat down two years ago, the weekend before the Masters, and had lunch. And I said, Okay, Rory, tell me, how are you going to play the golf course? And he says, You want all of it? I said, Yeah, give it to me shot for shot.

“And so Rory went through it shot for shot, and he said, What do you think? And I said, Well, I wouldn’t change a thing. I think it’s exactly the way you should play it. He varied from it one time. He varied from it on the 3rd hole. He said if the pin was left, he was not going to drive it, but he would drive it every other time.

“Well, he drove it on Sunday on that and put it right at the base of the hill and made birdie. But he gave himself a chance to make more than that. But that birdie probably won the tournament for him that first year.

“And so this year, I saw him on the practice tee just before he was teeing off, and why he was out there that early — because I was getting ready to go to the first tee to do our opening, and I put my hands on his shoulders, and I said to him, No effing double bogeys.

“I was very happy for Rory. I was delighted for him. I’ve been a big Rory fan. Now he’s only got one thing left on his resume that he really needs to have and that’s to win here. So you tell him that he’s got to do that.“

So well said, Jack.



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