McIlroy has more respect for Tiger

The last month in the spotlight has left Rory McIlroy even more appreciative of Tiger Woods’ long list of achievements.
Pressure-filled victories at the Open and last week’s US PGA Championship bookended another win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational for McIlroy, and the month’s toil in the glare of the spotlight has taken its toll.
“To be up there with the lead week-in and week-out and trying to win these big golf tournaments, it’s tough, mentally and physically,” McIlroy said. “I was a little flat the first six holes of the final round but just sort of told myself, we have 12 holes left, you can take a week off after this and enjoy it.
“It sort of makes you appreciate more what Tiger has done in the past and getting on these runs that he’s gone on and keeping it going for months on end basically and I think that’s why off-weeks are important.
“I think this week for me is going to be very important just to recharge the batteries and get ready for the big stretch of golf that we’ve still got coming up.”
While he needs some time to rest and recharge, McIlroy isn’t about to let up. Having moved to the top of the FedEX Cup standings following is Valhalla triumph, that will be next on his agenda.
If the world number one can remain in that position after the four play-off events, he would claim a 10million US dollars (£6million) bonus.
McIlroy came close in 2012, when victories at the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship saw him lead the standings until Brandt Snedeker rose from fifth to first with his Tour Championship win.
“I came close a couple of years ago and didn’t quite get the job done,” McIlroy added. “But I feel like my game’s in good enough shape that I can keep this run of golf going and try and win that.
“I want to try and go into he Ryder Cup with the best possible form that I can and then finish the season off well. I’ve got a few tournaments in the Far East, the Race to Dubai and then I’m going to go down and defend the Australian Open and then that’s going to be me shutting it down for the year.”
Latest
-
European Tour
Keith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European Tour
Ryan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.
-
News
Defiant Lee Westwood does not believe playing in LIV should harm Ryder Cup hopes
Westwood doesn’t agree with penalties and sanctions.
-
News
Shane Lowry welcomes closer ties between Tours in response to threat from LIV
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced the next phase of their strategic alliance.
-
News
Padraig Harrington fears LIV series poses threat to future of DP World Tour
The US Senior Open champion thinks there is only room for the PGA and one other tour in the world game.
-
News
Steve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
News
Golfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European Tour
DP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
News
Rory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.