July 21, 2017: As clichéd as it might be, the fact that sport reveals character is borne out in full public glare every time an athlete steps out to perform. The wind and weather are combining in Southport to offer us yet another brilliant glimpse into the soul of Rory McIlroy. The Open Championship is turning into theater, as the top golfers of the world battle the elements and their own doubts.
The Northern Irishman has been struggling for form recently, even missing the cut in the Scottish Open last week. Not much was expected of the four time major champion at Royal Birkdale.
Late on Thursday, McIlroy, one of the late starters on the day was getting blown away by the winds. He was five over through six holes and it looked as though he was going to bite the dust long before reaching the cut line.
“It was a rough start, I was just indecisive out there. Mentally I was not engaged and I was half caught between playing the golf shot I needed to and my golf swing,” explained the 28 year old golfer.
Fortunately for Rory, his caddie JP Fitzerald decided to offer some sane counsel to his boss.
“My caddie JP gave me a talking to which helped to keep me positive. He tried to remind me who I was and that I had won this tournament before. He told me not to feel any pressure and to play my game and I started to play my game after that,” added McIlroy.
After looking down and out at the start, McIlroy gradually worked his way back. He went by the bend without further damage before unleashing himself with four birdies on the back nine to bounce straight back from the abyss.
“It was nice to make birdies coming in. At least I feel I got myself back out of the hole I was in and get back into the tournament.”
It was a spectacular round of golf, one that combined poor shot making and errors with some gutsy golf and an even greater resolve. It was gratifying to experience the turnaround for both golfer and fan.
After having gone through the US Open, Irish Open and Scottish Open without reaching the weekend, the strife in those six holes might have finally done enough to awaken the golfer we know exists inside Rory McIlroy.
It will be fascinating to see him script his way back into the tournament over the next three rounds.
By Anand Datla
