In a much anticipated press conference on Wednesday morning, Rory McIlroy met with the press at The WGC-Cadillac, and a live TV audience on the Golf Channel to discuss his decision to leave the golf course on Friday morning at The Honda Classic. When asked if the first story published, that his head wasn’t in the right place true, or was he having problem with his wisdom tooth, he said “both“.
Rory first acknowledged that what he did was a huge mistake, that if he had taken time to think it through, he would have finished the round. He later made a heart felt apology to everyone involved, including the people at the Honda Classic, and most of all his fans. He did say, the incident turned out to be the pressure relief that made him feel better.
He indicated after his discussions with Dave Stockton, Stockton told the him, he needed to be enjoying his time at the top, and quit putting too much pressure on himself.
McIlroy admitted that the blow up at the Honda was a culmination of pressure to perform as the number one player in the world, and not being able to get his game on track. The added pressure to follow up the kind of season he had in 2012, and the change to new equipment just took him to a place where he wasn’t enjoying the process.
When asked if the equipment was the problem with his golf game, he said no. He likes the new ball, and the problem is having is more to do with the swing. He indicated he is taking his back-swing too far outside, thus coming too far inside on the downswing. The club gets stuck behind him, and fails to produce the results he is expecting.
With respect to adding any more events to his schedule prior to the Masters, he indicated he is only scheduled to play Doral and Houston. He won’t be making a decision on adding an event until after Doral, but doesn’t think he will. He seemed to be pretty set on not Playing Tampa, or Bay Hill.
When asked about the rumor going around about breaking up with Tennis Star Caroline Woznaicki, he dismissed them as just that, rumors. He and Caroline have scheduled some time when she returns from a tournament in Malaysia.
I watched the press conference, and was impressed with Rory McIlroy’s presentation of himself. He looked refreshed, and confident, and I look forward to seeing him play this week. I think it’s time to put this mess behind him, and let’s get back to playing golf. Everybody makes mistakes, and Rory has made his, so let’s get behind this talented youngster, and let him do what he does best. Win golf tournaments.
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