Europe, Blame Jeev Milkha Singh for Rory McIlroy's Defection

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 18, 2009 4:33 PM EST

At the Dubai World Championship, Rory McIlroy made it clear that a conversation (if you can call it that) with Jeev Milkha Singh gave him the gusto to take up his PGA Tour card in 2010...for a whole four more events than this year.

From Reuters:

"Before I made up my mind over America, I went around looking for different opinions and a little bit of advice. I went to Clarkey (Darren Clarke) Westy (Lee Westwood), Chubby (his manager Andrew Chandler), Ernie (Els) and said: 'Look, I'm thinking about it (joining the PGA Tour), what do you think?'

"They said: 'There's no rush. Why don't you try and win a bit more over here (on the European Tour) before going over there?'"

However, a conversation with India's Singh, who competes on both sides of the Atlantic, tipped the balance.

"I had lunch with Jeev during the World Matchplay Championship. He said: 'If you want to why not? You're young. It's great.'

That's all it took? "It's great?"

"Hey, Ryan, why don't you try snorting cocaine? It's great." That will NOT sell me on snorting cocaine.

I have a feeling that Rory wanted to play in the US all along and was just looking for the right person to give him the validation that it would be ok.

So, thanks, JM Singh!

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Comments

Now now – give Rory credit for having a little more sense than that….it was Jeev’s accent that convinced him. :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 18, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions

It’s the old rule – just keep asking different people until you get the answer you want.

by Double Eagle on Nov 18, 2009 6:03 PM EST reply actions

Rory'd be well advised to consider the source...

Jeev Singh is a player who’ll get on a plane and fly half way around the world so he can apologize face-to-face to a sponsor for not being able to appear at an event due to an injury.

by golfgirl on Nov 18, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions

are you saying that’s a bad thing to have in your character ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 18, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

I love Rory and I am so happy that he is coming over to play on the PGA Tour next year! I agree that we all should thank Jeev!

by kokogirl on Nov 18, 2009 8:44 PM EST reply actions

US Tour

I had commented on this in another place, but will rehash my self here….I think this is the worst thing that he can do right now….I understand all the hype that is being done, but at his age, sometimes “staying home” so to speak and maturing a bit mentally is a good thing…If he comes to the states and gets beatup, this will definitely alter the mind set….Nothing wrong with wanting stiff competition, but I think he could have had that in Europe…Challange TIGAR??? …brash thoughts, but that seriously won"t happen for at least a couple of years yet, than there are at least 5 other young guns waiting in the wings for that….No, I feel he had his mind made up and that was that….too bad.

by thinker on Nov 29, 2009 4:36 PM EST reply actions