Is Rory McIlroy Washed Up? How Will He Do In 2022?

[Darkfrog]

I voted for the 2nd option, because I believe Rory is still among the best, talent-wise. I think he has what it takes to win tournaments, maybe multiple, and compete in majors. It could be that I am a bit biased toward Rory, I think his commentary is honest and direct, and a stark contrast to most of the pre-baked comments professional athletes make.

However I don't think he will win 2-3 tournaments, as this is a tall order for any player considering the amount of depth and talent in tournament fields.

[ScouseJohnny]

He's only 32, foreseeably a dozen more years of being competitive in the majors. It's perfectly possible that a man of his talents will have it all click and come together for 4 rounds in one or more tournament out of 48.

Trouble is he doesn't seem all that hungry for it - except maybe the Masters, and I'm not sure I ever see him winning that. I get the sense he's at his most competitive when he isn't feeling the pressure, and it's almost as though he psyches himself out every time he sets foot on Augusta. Other than this year, he generally plays it very well, but there's always a sort of lingering sense of disappointment about Rory at the end of the Masters.

A few years back, the general consensus at the Sand Trap was that Rory is "streaky." That's the phrase that was used frequently. 7 years without a major is certainly a long streak for someone of his stature in the game, comparative youth, and obvious talent. Hence why the phrase seems to have dropped out of favour. Brooks and Bryson (and others) just seem to want it more.

Or maybe he'll be Phil. A major here and there and a fine record by the time he's 50, with majors won here and there up until that precise age; cumulative, not periodic bursts of brilliance and back-to-back majors....but I'm not sure I see it.

Just now, ScouseJohnny said:

He's only 32, foreseeably a dozen more years of being competitive in the majors. It's perfectly possible that a man of his talents will have it all click and come together for 4 rounds in one or more tournament out of 48.

Trouble is he doesn't seem all that hungry for it - except maybe the Masters, and I'm not sure I ever see him winning that. I get the sense he's at his most competitive when he isn't feeling the pressure, and it's almost as though he psyches himself out every time he sets foot on Augusta. Other than this year, he generally plays it very well, but there's always a sort of lingering sense of disappointment about Rory at the end of the Masters.

A few years back, the general consensus at the Sand Trap was that Rory is "streaky." That's the phrase that was used frequently. 7 years without a major is certainly a long streak for someone of his stature in the game, comparative youth, and obvious talent. Hence why the phrase seems to have dropped out of favour. Brooks and Bryson (and others) just seem to want it more.

Or maybe he'll be Phil from this point forth. A major here and there and a fine record by the time he's 50, with majors won up until that precise age; cumulative, not periodic bursts of brilliance and back-to-back majors....but I'm not sure I see it.

 

[Vinsk]

16 minutes ago, ScouseJohnny said:

A few years back, the general consensus at the Sand Trap was that Rory is "streaky.

I think that can define just about every player who ‘got hot.’

[pganapathy]

On 10/1/2021 at 10:07 AM, Vinsk said:

On 10/1/2021 at 8:58 AM, iacas said:

You said two. How many did he win this year?

How much?

On 10/1/2021 at 10:07 AM, Vinsk said:

Can you specify ‘small’ ?

For me a big bet would be 100 dollars and a small bet would be 10 dollars, on the tournament wins and major win respectively.  For me it is more like a friendly and sportsman bet, but since you guys asked, that is the number.  I have stopped betting and gambling after being a major casino addict a couple of years ago

[Vinsk]

On 10/1/2021 at 6:17 AM, pganapathy said:

I would bet on that.

Ok. Well…you did say this.

[phillyk]

Welp, he’s off to a damn good start right now. 

[Bonvivant]

Is there a foot in mouth emoji? Good for him, I was pulling for Fowler though. Tough to see him struggle down the stretch.

[GolfLug]

9 hours ago, Bonvivant said:

Is there a foot in mouth emoji? Good for him, I was pulling for Fowler though. Tough to see him struggle down the stretch.

Hahaha, I love Rory. Good on him for muscling through. Was also pulling a tad for RF for a mercy win.

[chspeed]

Was good to hear his post-round interview. Sounds like he was motivated by the Ryder Cup loss. "Being me is enough".

http://www.golfchannel.com/video?guid=Uvt7XizxZ0AeR8dNuHcshUfjTz7RX_Ix

Edited October 18, 2021 by chspeed

[colin007]

Love this guy. Top lad.

[Bonvivant]

11 hours ago, GolfLug said:

Hahaha, I love Rory. Good on him for muscling through. Was also pulling a tad for RF for a mercy win.

Never been a huge Rory fan, but I wasn't into golf when he came to prominence. I came back to the game with everyone talking about how amazing Rory was, though I never saw real dominance. Also, when I came back, Fowler was doing well, but quickly deteriorated. A win for RF would have meant 2 years for free, which he desperately needs. Hopefully he keeps form and keeps getting sponsor exemptions, which in that case, I could imagine seeing a win this fall from him which would be great.

[Colins69]

On 10/2/2021 at 2:16 PM, Vinsk said:

I think that can define just about every player who ‘got hot.’

Have to agree, same same for every team too..

 

I voted No1 because he has the Talent and is one of the longest drivers out there and he has consistent (he's been 6/10 but needs 9 out of 10) ball striking which is more important than distance but you still need to be longish... 

[phan52]

Rory's admission that he has been chasing distance is revealing. His realization that he just has to be 'Rory' will put him back on track. Multiple wins.

[boogielicious]

35 minutes ago, phan52 said:

Rory's admission that he has been chasing distance is revealing. His realization that he just has to be 'Rory' will put him back on track. Multiple wins.

He alluded to that earlier in the year and I agree that if he returns to his form, he’ll be a contender every week.

[nevets88]

Two social media accounts I follow are predicting good things for him this year based on swing changes he's making. Sacredlinks and an instructor, Josh Park. Also saw instructors like Dana Dahlquist agreeing in the comments.

My untrained eyes don't see much difference other than a more outside takeaway and a more cupped lead wrist at A4. The comments say it looks like his older swing when he was winning majors so I pulled up a video and man, it looks so different.

Also he recently went back to his old instructor.

Can anyone see the difference between his swing say early 2021 and now? I guess back then he was chasing clubhead speed because DeChambeau?

McIlroy splits from Cowen and back with Bannon

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Rory McIlroy has confirmed a parting of the ways with Pete Cowen, the illustrious English swing instructor he began working with this year and...

 

Here are some older swings. New swing arms more in front?

 

[nevets88]

Here he is I think in mid November, according to post, he's in Dubai.

 

[iacas]

That last one is a big deal for him. He can get pretty far under and really push the path out to the right.

[phan52]

There is a lengthy interview with Rory in the latest No Laying Up podcast. Rory has a lot on his plate so he has to figure out how to just get back to playing. The thing is, he knows it and is working on it. He also describes in detail how chasing distance ruined his golf swing. I think he is back on track. As far as Majors go, he points out that, at his age, Phil still didn't have one and ended up with six.