Fellow British Open champ Darren Clarke likened Rory McIlroy to a runaway train as the World No. 1 hurtles full-steam towards a second straight Major victory in this week’s PGA Championship.
Clarke managed to halt McIlroy’s locomotive albeit for one hole and not having to hand over any money to McIlroy following their practice round friendly yesterday morning (WED local time) on the Vahalla course in Louisville, Kentucky.
McIlroy spoke last Sunday night after capturing the Bridgestone Invitational of his delight in hoping to take more money from Clarke after having lifted 20 quid from Clarke’s wallet on the eve of the British Open.
No fewer than seven uniform police officers providing a shield around World No. 1 Rory McIlroy as his signs autographs. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
But while Clarke lost 2 & 1 to his three-time Major winning rival, McIlroy agreed to ‘double or quits’ on the last hole at Valhalla in their early Wednesday practice round.
Clarke, now sporting a nautic-looking silver beard and with his two sons looking one, salvaged some pride holing a six foot eagle putt on the uphill par five 18th to deny McIlroy, who broke through the Euro 20m barrier in European Tour earnings alone last Sunday with his Bridgestone triumph.
“He beat me again 2 & 1 but then we had double or quits up the last and I managed to hit two very nice shots,” he said.
“He took 20 quid off me at Hoylake so I kept my money today with double or quits. So I didn’t get my 20 quid back but then I didn’t lose any to him today.”
Immediately following his final Valhalla round, that was also in the company of Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal and South Carolina rookie Ben Martin, he ventured to the spectator line signing autographs and with no fewer than seven uniform police officers shielding him from any unwanted trouble.
And Clarke, with his shirt soaked in perspiration, looked over remaking the golf world is McIlroy’s oyster.
“How do you stop him as Rory’s like a runaway train at present,” said Clarke.
Darren Clarke also in an autograph signing session at the back of the 18th green this morning after eagling the hole in a ‘Double or nothing’ match against Rory McIlroy. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“He’s playing fantastic. He’s just flushing it. He’s ripping it. He’s just very, very impressive.
“Any golf course in the world would suit Rory at the minute and it doesn’t matter how different they may be. He’s just hitting it so good and just doing everything right.
“I had runs when I’ve played quite nicely but nothing as good as what Rory’s going through. Ror’s can do whatever he wants and he’s just better than anybody. He’s probably the most talented kid in the world in the game of golf at the minute.
“I managed this morning to hang in there with him for about 11 holes and didn’t look too bad but I think it was just Rory taken pity on the old man.”
And like many of McIlroy’s rivals this week, Clarke was quizzed how far he thought the 25-year old McIlroy could advance in the ancient game.
“The limit is whatever he wants but then I better stop talking to you guys before you picture me being sycophantic but he’s just playing so well at the minute,” Clarke smiled.
McIlroy, with good friend Harry Diamond as company this week, was heading to the clubhouse for an early lunch and then after hitting a few balls on the range was taking the afternoon off ahead of today’s (THUR) 1.45pm local time (6.45pm Irish time) first round grouping with his fellow Major winners from this year – Masters champ Bubba Watson and Pinehurst US Open winning wonder Martin Kaymer.
“I’ve done my homework and looking forward to tomorrow so I’m just going to hit a few balls on the range and then take the afternoon off,” he said.
Overnight it was confirmed McIlroy will defend his Australian Open title from November 24th to 27th in Sydney.
And McIlroy stressed his victory over then reigning Augusta National champion and Australian-born Adam Scott along the shores of Sydney Harbour was the launching ramp for what he’s gone onto achieve this seasons.
“I am looking forward very much going back to defend and returning to Sydney as it’s one of favourite cities in all the world and I’ve always enjoyed myself in Sydney,” he said.
“J P (Caddy) and I were only saying the other day that winning the Australian Open was very much the key to what I’ve managed to achieve so far this year.
“To go down to Sydney and compete head-to-head with Adam on that final day and come out on top of the reigning Masters winner, and also in front of his home crowd, was pretty special and it gave me the win I was looking for.
“Not only did it mean I’ve won at least one event a year since winning in Dubai in 2009 but I took what I did in Sydney late last year into this year and winning the BMW, The Open and last week well, I can look back to winning the Australian Open last year as pivotal in my success this year.
“Also the reception I received last year from everyone was fantastic, and particularly as I felt like a bit of villain in beating Adam at the last hole, so that’s another reason for wanting to defend as everyone was just so good to me.”
However McIlroy will not want to be reminded of his last visit to Sydney when on New Year’s Eve, and just a short distance from the Royal Sydney course, he proposed to Caroline Wozniacki.
