Belfast Telegraph: "Golf Needs Rory McIlroy at Number 1"

by Charles Boyer on Feb 28, 2012 3:04 PM EST

Much has been made of Rory McIlroy's rise towards the top of the Official World Golf Rankings, and now that he's in the penultimate position, for the past couple of weeks, he's been poised to take over the top spot with a tournament win.

According to the Belfast (Ireland) Telegraph's Karl McGinty, McIlroy taking over the top spot would be good for the game.

[..] Rory, who — like Tiger — is capable of playing in a way which makes golf exciting to people who have never lifted a club in their lives.

As golf discovered when Woods first burst into the global limelight in 1997, if you have a player who captures the imagination of the masses, it's boom time. Despite more than two years in which Tiger and his game have been in rehab, remarkably he still remains the biggest draw in golf.

Yet every time Woods gets his nose wiped by guys like Robert Rock in Abu Dhabi, Phil Mickelson in the final round at Riviera or even Nick Watney in round two in Tucson, his credibility is stretched ever further.

It's an interesting viewpoint, and one well worth reading. McGinty certainly makes a compelling point and his logic is in many ways valid: having a clear-cut number one in the game with a great deal of charisma is good for marketing the game on television. Now that it seems clear that Tiger Woods has some work to do to rise back into the higher echelons of golf, Rory McIlroy may well serve as an excellent replacement.

Now it's up to McIlroy to make the next step, if he can: win the Honda Classic and earn the position.

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Nothing wrong with a little home cooking, eh ? His point is valid from a marketing perspective, even if he doesn’t seem to know his Tiger Woods history very well. (it was 1996, and he was expected to do what he did years before turning pro), McIlroy is the popular choice to build stories around.

McIlroy is the “cute” choice for his looks and the look of his game – but Tiger Woods he ain’t. Woods hit the pro tour at a full run. He was here to chew bubble gum and kick some arse…and he was all out of bubble gum.

What this writer probably should have said was that the golf and sports media needs Rory to take over at #1 – it makes their jobs a lot easier…but honesty in the media isn’t a big priority when the public will basically buy any hype thrown their way.

If at first you don't secede, try try again

by courtgolf on Feb 28, 2012 3:42 PM EST reply actions

I think

Rory will make a very good number one, and it seems inevitable that he’ll get there. But I agree with Court, “Tiger Woods he ain’t”. He’s a very good player and I can see him having a Faldo like career, 6 or 7 majors. Perhaps I’m wrong but I just don’t see in Rory someone who’s going to walk in Tiger and Jack’s shoes. Time will tell I guess.

Tiger is very special and the media is desperate to replace him. The problem is, a player like this is EXTREMELY rare. I was listening to Matt Adam’s show recently and a caller nailed what is so attractive about Tiger to viewers. He said people watch him because they know they’re watching someone who has the “potential” to play the best golf we’ve ever seen. They’re watching something historical and profoundly rare. He may be the only player in our life time that has any hope of catching an untouchable record. For me, that’s it exactly!

Times have obviously changed and Tiger is now struggling. Yet people still tune in to watch when he’s playing. The story is still compelling. Can he get it back? Will he win again? Many are hoping he can, many are hoping he can’t. It is an interesting story on many levels, but ultimately I think most people are aware there’s still that potential for greatness that could be unleashed at any moment.

I honestly think the bulk of the golf media doesn’t really know what to do now. I guess they have to keep anointing someone as the next great thing until one pans out.

The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.
~ William Blake

by tigerhead on Feb 28, 2012 6:58 PM EST reply actions