Tag: Rory McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy And Tommy Fleetwood: “Just Another Incredible Match”

Rory McIlroy (left) and Tommy Fleetwood are undefeated after three sessions at the 20223 Ryder Cup. (Credit: Getty)
Rory McIlroy (left) and Tommy Fleetwood are undefeated after three sessions at the 20223 Ryder Cup. (Credit: Getty)

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood remain undefeated in their third match together at the 2023 Ryder Cup. Together they have now collected three points for Team Europe. Naturally, they were happy after the narrow victory against the American dream pairing of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, as they report in the interview.
In the afternoon session on Saturday at the Ryder up in Rome, however, they will have to manage without each other. Fleetwood will start in the bestballs with Rasmus Hojgaard, McIlroy will play with Matt Fitzpatrick.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood remain undefeated in their third match together at the Ryder Cup. Together they have now collected three points for Team Europe. Naturally, they were happy after the narrow victory against the American dream pairing of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, as they report in the interview.
In the afternoon session on Saturday at the Ryder up in Rome, however, they will have to manage without each other. Fleetwood will start in the bestballs with Rasmus Hojgaard, McIlroy will play with Matt Fitzpatrick.

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy: I think they get more special as you go on because you realize you don’t have that many left. Hopefully I have a few Ryder Cups left in me. It’s been an absolute pleasure to share the golf course with this man beside me over the last couple of days.

Yeah, last night we talked about enjoying what we did yesterday but coming out and showing no mercy today. Obviously the way Ludvig and Viktor started off and the way we started off, you know, that set the tone for the day again.

Yeah, just another incredible match. We played great there. We held some good putts when we needed to and delighted to get another point on the board for Europe.

Question: They are already talking about this pairing possibly being one for years to come, two eagles back-to-back, 5-under par wedge in foursomes. You’ve be playing with him for a while?

Tommy Fleetwood: If he’ll have me. Like I said yesterday, there’s so many people on this planet that dream of playing with Rory and I’m the one who has had the opportunity to do it for the last two mornings. Just happy to be along for the ride and play some good golf. Yeah, we did very, very well. We were pretty — there was a couple of hiccups here and there but we held the putts when we needed to and thankfully Rory bailed me out on the last one.

Question: Mollywood 4-0, Fleetwood Mac 3-0 —

Rory McIlroy: There is a common denominator there.

Question: How good a partner is he to play with?

Rory McIlroy: He’s great because he makes you feel so at ease and you know that you can play loose. You can’t play tight. You don’t feel like you need to be perfect because you know you’ve got a partner beside you that’s going to bail you out if you need to and is going to hit the right shots at the right times.

I think in foursomes, someone that strikes the ball like this man, you feel really comfortable playing alongside none like that. As I said it’s been a great couple of days.

Question: A second straight day, 2&1 foursomes victory. A wonderful start for both of you. How much momentum does this team have right now?

Rory McIlroy: Yesterday was an amazing day and we wanted to enjoy it because it’s not very often you go out on a full day in a Ryder Cup and don’t lose a full point. We enjoyed last night but at the same time we knew the Americans were going to be hurting a bit and they obviously want to get off to a fast start this morning, and our objective is to just not let them do that.

We went out first and we got blue on the board early, the boys behind got blue on the board early and that set the tone for the day. Another great start, what we have been talking about all week and we just need to keep it going.

Question: Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are historically a very strong team for the Americans. Do you sense they are a little bit out of sorts this week?

Tommy Fleetwood: Well, me and Rory are a good team as well. Very happy to play whoever it was we were put alongside. We were just very focused on what we were doing. We played very well yesterday. Wanted to come out of the blocks fast, and we did. Just continue to focus on what we were doing, and yeah, I actually thought it was a great match, especially on the back nine. I thought things really got going on the back nine with some eagles and birdies.
(Transcript by asapsports)

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Ryder Cup 2023 – Rory McIlroy: “At least I contributed twice”

Rory McIlroy und Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy und Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Team Europe has made a strong showing at the Ryder Cup 2023 in Italy. After the Foursomes in the morning ended with 4:0 for the Europeans, the hosts defended the lead strongly in the Fourballs in the afternoon. Rory McIlroy, who did not start too well into the tournament, won both of his matches – in the morning together with Tommy Fleetwood, in the afternoon with Matt Fitzpatrick. The afternoon match in particular caused quite a stir, as the two Europeans literally overran the guests on the front nine. Read the interview with McIlroy and Fitzpatrick.

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Ryder Cup 2023: McIlroy and Fitzpatrick thrilled about Team Europe’s great start

Q. Mat, Rory, incredible performance, relief, elation, what does this mean for you personally and for Europe?

Matt Fitzpatrick: For me, it’s very, very special, and to play with this man, and to get out to the start that we did, yeah, just phenomenal.

Q. A hot start, Rory, as far as Ryder Cup Matches, where does that rank for you, and near the top, I’m sure?

Rory McIlroy: Yeah, absolutely amazing. You know, for the first nine holes I was trying to hang on to this man’s coattails. I said to him walking up 10, “At least I contributed twice.”

And then the boys made a few birdies, you know, on the back nine there and we had to just sort of hang in and hit some good, solid shots down the stretch.

But yeah, I mean, just a great day in front of some amazing home fans, and I said to Fitzy there, you know, for his first point for Europe, I’m happy that I was the one to get it with him. Proud of how him and I played, and we just have to go out and regroup for tomorrow.

Q. Going out in four-balls this afternoon gave you some freedom, didn’t it?

Matt Fitzpatrick: Yeah, absolutely, my first four-balls match. I was laughing to Rory, what do we do here. I’m just so excited to be out here, and it’s very different playing a home Ryder Cup than away to. Have the fans cheering you on makes a hell of a difference.

Q. First point in Ryder Cup competition, you got off to a hot start, what was working so well for you early on?

Matt Fitzpatrick: Six one-putts in a row is normally a big help. Yeah, felt really good with the putter on the front nine and just got off to a really hot start.

Q. Why did this pairing work so well for you today?

Rory McIlroy: Matt and I have known each other for a long time now. We have played, yeah, this is our third Ryder Cup Team together, and yeah, it’s a really comfortable pairing. I’ve been so lucky with the two partners that I’ve had with Tommy in the morning and this man, the start that he got off to, I was trying to hang on to his coattails. I contributed a couple of times there around the turn and thankfully we did enough to get it done.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Tommy Fleetwood: “Playing with Rory McIlroy is a dream for anybody”

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood kept the momentum going and completed the European clean sweep in the Friday Foursomes at the 2023 Ryder Cup. The finished their match against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 2&1, after the Americans gave them a fight on the final holes.

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Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup 2023

Q. Rory, you’ve just beaten a pair that were previously 5-0 in foursomes play to complete a clean sweep for Europe. How special is this moment?

RORY McILROY: It’s been an unbelievable session. We switched the format this year to go foursomes first because statistically that’s our better session. And all week, all we’ve been talking about is getting off to fast starts. Playing three-hole matches in practise, three holes, go again, three holes, go again, something that Luke’s drilled into us. We were ready to go from the first tee shot as obviously as you can see in how everyone played.

I’m so proud of this man alongside me. He can play with anyone. I’m just so happy that he’s my partner this week and so happy to get a point on the board for Europe.

Q. There are always turning points and you’re playing 15, looked like you were going to lose it. You turned it into a victory. The adrenaline rush when the putt went in?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Waiting for a moment like that all today to be honest. Especially the start of the back nine where we were playing so well, I felt like I had two or three chances that I let go by. So I kept them in it, really. You’re not going to hole more unless you have a really good day.

Was due one. Felt really good over it. It’s just one of those Ryder Cup moments, really, and that’s what we’re playing for. It’s really cool. Rory is an unbelievable golfer.

Q. Talk us through that shot, the match was very tense, 1 up, two holes to play. Magnificent shot you hit. Tell us about your point of view?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, if anything, my poor shot recently has been a right shot. So I kept it simple: Keep a strong clubface going back, and fully release it on the way through, aim at the target and it never left the flag.

Q. That was the closest of four, you just pulled out the fourth straight blue point. You spoke about how determined you are to play differently and perform differently as a team as you did at Whistling Straits. How satisfying is this morning’s performance?

RORY McILROY: Amazing to sweep a session. I can’t remember the last time Europe has done that. We can’t get complacent at all. This is an unbelievably long American Team. Last week the American girls went up 4-0 in the first session there and Europe were able to come back, so we are not taking anything for granted here. It’s a great start but we need to keep our foot on the pedal and keep winning points.

Q. You’re undefeated in foursomes the in the Ryder Cup. How does Fleetwood Mac compare to Mollywood?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Just keep picking your partners, that’s the secret. Obviously playing with Rory is a dream for anybody, and I was the one that got to do that this morning.

Yeah, we’ve known we are going to play together for a while and just getting out there, felt like we actually played very, very good and felt like we were in control all the way. Obviously there are turning points and we needed one towards the end but yeah, just pleased to play with another great partner.

Q. Xander and Patrick were doing everything they could to get a halve, how clutch was your response on the tee at 17?

RORY McILROY: I have hit a lot of good shots in my time. That’s right up there. I didn’t know how close Patrick had hit his but I just wanted to give Tommy a chance to at least stay 1 UP going down the last. I was pretty certain we weren’t going to go down the last, but if I keep hitting iron shots like that, then I’m going to have a pretty good week.

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Ryder Cup 2023 – Rory McIlroy: “They are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them”

Ryder Cup 2023: Rory McIlroy in an interview ahead of his seventh appearance. (Source: Getty)
Ryder Cup 2023: Rory McIlroy in an interview ahead of his seventh appearance. (Source: Getty)

Rory McIlroy is one of the experienced Ryder Cup participants. Shortly before the start of the Ryder Cup 2023, the Northern Irishman spoke in an interview about the special atmosphere at the continental competition and the absence of great players who have long characterized the European Ryder Cup teams, such as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Campfire feeling at the Ryder Cup 2023

I’m joined by Rory McIlroy from Team Europe. Rory, remarkably, your seventh Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy: Thanks, Steve.

That’s all right. We saw a video last night talking through being in the team environment. How has the team environment been this week.

Rory McIlroy: It’s been fantastic. Everyone knows this is a bit of a transitional period for The European Team and there’s people that have been part of The European Team for a long time that aren’t here this week. But I think the guys that we brought in are going to be awesome. Nicolai, Ludwig, Bob, that’s the future of our team and the future of the Ryder Cup.

I think we came here to Rome a couple of weeks ago for a practise trip, and I thought that was incredibly important. Honestly I couldn’t believe that we’ve never done it before. We played a practise round and we got familiar with the golf course but then the sort of time we spent off the course I thought was great. Just sort of sharing stories around the fire pit and sort of describing our journeys in golf and what the Ryder Cup means to us. Sort of just getting to know one another a little better, even people that I thought that I knew for a long time, sort of getting to know them a little better, too, was wonderful.

I think Luke and his vice captains have really sort of tapped into that emotional connection around Team Europe this week, and we have all bought into it. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and it’s only Wednesday. There’s a lot of great things to come. But couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team, and to have those other 11 guys be my teammates.

Just on the fans, you’ve obviously experienced the odd rogue fan at the Ryder Cup and thinking of Brian Harman getting heckled, do you think it might go too far here?

Rory McIlroy: No because I think that’s all part of the Ryder Cup. There’s not a lot of other instances in the game of golf where that happens but there’s certainly a line. Most fans that come out to watch golf are very respectful and they know what that line is.

Rory McIlroy: ” It’s certainly a little strange not having them around”

A lot of water under the bridge in the last couple years, but in this week of all weeks, do you actually miss guys like Sergio, Poulter, Westwood?

Rory McIlroy: I mean, it’s certainly a little strange not having them around. But I think this week of all weeks, it’s going to hit home with them that, you know, they are not here, and I think they are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them, so — and I’m not saying that that’s like — it’s just more I think this week is a realisation that the decision that they made has led to not being a part of this week, and that’s tough. The landscape in golf is ever-changing and more dynamic, and we’ll see what happens and whether they will be part of it in the future. I always thought leading up to this week is when it’s going to hit home that they are not going to be here.

We obviously don’t know the pairings yet, but assuming you might have to use a different golf ball. I’m just wondering if you can discuss the challenges that brings with it, and how much time you would devote to maybe practising with another ball in the lead up to that.

Rory McIlroy: Yeah, I guess the nice thing is that you can do it in way where — I think all these golf balls react pretty similar with a driver. It’s more the iron shots and around the greens. If I’m playing with a guy that uses a different golf ball, I can just hit his golf ball off the tee. He’s able to hit it into the green and we go from there. Vice versa; he can hit my golf ball off the tee, and I can hit my ball into the green and do that. Yeah, it can get a little tricky and you’re chipping and putting and different feels of balls.

I think a couple of days, hitting some, getting numbers with that golf ball. Spin rates is a big thing. Especially in the wind gets up in some of these elevations. Just if you’re into the wind, and, say, the other golf ball minutes 200 or 300 more RPMs more than your golf ball, that makes a huge difference into the wind. So just trying to get comfortable with that in some ways and trying to be mindful of it.

But I don’t think it presents a huge challenge. I think guys are pretty much adaptable. We have 24 of the best players in the world here. If we can’t adapt a little bit to a slight change of the golf ball, the game is certainly not going in the right direction. So I think we are all okay.

Rory, thank for joining us. Enjoy your week.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Rory McIlroy – A Tower of Strength

Rory McIlroy will be Part of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy will be Part of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy is a 34-year-old Northern Irishman and one of the most successful golfers in the world. At just 22, he was the second-youngest player ever to top the world rankings at the time. He has won four major tournaments and 20 others on the PGA Tour. All eyes will be on the fan favorite at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

Rory McIlroy at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Due to Rory McIlroy’s successful season, the Northern Irishman qualified for the Ryder Cup in two ways. He led the European points rankings at the time of his qualification and followed in second place behind Jon Rahm in the world points ranking. With two victories in the 2022/2023 season and a total of eleven top-10 finishes, he collected enough points to be nominated first, together with Jon Rahm, for the Ryder Cup.

The world number two played 16 tournaments last season and missed the cut only twice. He managed a top-10 finish impressive eleven times, including two T2’s and two victories. In October 2022, he won the CJ Cup in South Carolina, one of the first tournaments of the PGA Tour season. Then in July 2023, he won the British Open dress rehearsal, the Genesis Scottish Open, and bagged about three and a half million dollars with those two wins alone. He narrowly missed winning the US Open and the Arnold Palmer Invitational by finishing second. In total, McIlroy earned around 13 million dollars in prize money during the 2022-2023 season

Will Rory McIlroy write the next chapter in golf history in the 2023 Ryder Cup?

In 2010, at the age of 21, McIlroy won the Ryder Cup for the first time with Team Europe. In stormy Wales the decision even had to be postponed until Monday. In 2012, he defended the title with a historic comeback by the European team. After trailing six to ten, the Europeans won for the seventh time out of the at that time last nine Ryder Cups.

In 2014, he made a historic start in match play against Rickie Fowler, winning five of the first six holes. With this victory, among others, the Europeans again defended their title. 2018 was the for now last victory of Team Europe in which McIlroy again played a part. After an emotional loss in 2021 he will again be an integral part of the European Ryder Cup Team in 2023, as he has been for 13 years. With all his experience, he is a tower fo strength for Team Europe.

Rory McIlroy’s greatest successes and prize money

Rory McIlroy became famous at a young age. He made his first TV appearance at the age of eight, won the U10 World Championship in Miami at 9, made his first hole-in-one at 10 and was already leading the amateur world rankings at 17. Alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, the Northern Irishman is the only player to have won four major titles by the age of 25.

In a total of 236 events, he missed the cut only 30 times. In just under half of the tournaments he has played, he has reached the top 10. 71 of these were top 5 finishes, ten third places and ten more runner ups. His greatest successes are his Major victories. In 2011 he won the US Open for his first major title. In 2012, he took the title at the PGA Championship. Two years later, he won two of the four major tournaments, the PGA Championship again and the Open Championship. He now only needs the Masters in Augusta to have been successful in all four major tournaments and complete a career Grand Slam. He also won the FedExCup three times, most recently in 2022. The Northern Irishman has earned around 79 million dollars in prize money during his career.

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This is why Rory McIlroy wins the Open Championship

A look at the favourites for the Open Championship 2023. (Photo: Getty)
A look at the favourites for the Open Championship 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Ever since his success at the Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy has been the clear favorite for this year’s Open Championship in Liverpool. We take a look at what speaks for him and who could challenge him for the title.

A Rory McIlroy in top form at the Open Championship

At the beginning of the year, there seemed to be nothing that the Northern Irishman couldn’t win. But then the outside pressure mounted, it was as much about LIV and the PGA Tour as it was about sporting success, and McIlroy seemed to have reached his limit. The results failed to materialize, and time out was necessary, even from the Elevated events, which he had promised to participate in when they were first conceived. But with June 6 and the negotiated merger between the PGA and PIF, the pressure is also falling off. What happens at tour level is no longer his business, McIlroy thinks to himself, and plays as freely as he did at the beginning of the year. A second place at the US Open in June was the first bright spot, then the links victory last week. The signs are all pointing to McIlroy.

The fact that he is the last Champion Golfer of the Year to be named at Royal Liverpool further helps his odds. And let’s not forget the duel against Cam Smith at the 2022 Open Championship. McIlroy’s colleagues also know that the 34-year-old is a force to be reckoned with this week. Last year’s triumphant Cam Smith, for example, said. “There are a lot of guys who, if the week goes well, can be up there on Sunday. I’m sure Rory is one of them.” For Jon Rahm, McIlroy is also the main favorite. “If I had to pick one player, it would be Rory,” he said in an interview with Mercedes Benz. Matt Fitzpatrick even expresses a tiny bit of jealousy at the four-time major winner’s outstanding form. “I think everyone would like to play golf the way Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are doing right now. But that’s pretty rare for the rest of us.”

The unbeatable Scottie Scheffler

If there is anyone who can outperform Rory McIlroy in terms of form, it is Scottie Scheffer. You’ll look in vain for a missed cut this year and all season for the world No. 1. His worst finish in 2023 is a split 12th.If there isn’t at least a top 10 for him this week, it almost has to be a disappointment. In his last ten major appearances, Scheffer missed the cut only once and finished outside the top 10 only once, but that was at the 2022 British Open. At St. Andrews, the currently unbeatable Scheffler apparently found his master. But he showed that he has no problems with links golf per se with a shared third place at the Scottish Open last week.

The defending champion Cameron Smith

Not to be forgotten, of course, is the defending champion. When Cameron Smith handed the Claret Jug back to Martin Slumbers of the R&A, he reluctantly let the trophy go. “I’ll just win it again,” he jousted. Even though Smith’s Ripper GC is only in the lower midfield of the LIV Golf League, things look very different for the captain. He ranks second in the season standings behind only Talor Gooch after his win in London. In addition, he boasts four top 10 results, an eleventh place finish and a twelfth place finish. His major record this year is not without its problems either. Although T34 at the Masters, where he particularly shone in previous years, the trend developed positively: T9 at the PGA Championship, 4th place at the US Open, what will he achieve at the Royal Liverpool?

The fiery Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm also looked unstoppable at the beginning of the year. Since the spring and his Masters win, however, he’s cooled off a bit. More breaks, results good enough to keep him in the top 3 in the world, but not to challenge Scheffler for the top spot. He is well aware of that himself, he explained before the tournament. “Obviously Rory and Scotty are more the favorites because they’ve been playing better lately, but I’m glad people still think I have a chance.” At the same time, he said, his expectations of himself are probably higher than what people on the outside think of him. “Whether people think you’re going to win or not, I’m still coming here to win.” He’s already won one major this year, and a second would definitely be in the cards.

Honourable Mentions

But, as Jon Rahm also says, “This is golf, all 150 of us have a chance.” Figures like Rickie Fowler, with chances to win the US Open and end his winless streak are also aiming for the title, as is Brooks Koepka, who has major title number 6 in his sights, but has had very inconsistent results at the Open Championship so far. With Tommy Fleetwood, who finished T4 behind Rory McIlroy last year and T6 last week, standing just as high with the bookmakers as world No. 5 Viktor Hovland, with whom Fleetwood shared fourth place in 2022. But in the end, there can only be one Champion Golfer of the Year 2023.