Rory McIlroy walks off course at the Honda Classic

[iacas]

Originally Posted by k-troop

You don't think there's any possibility that the gear change has contributed to his swing woes?

Nowhere near enough to cause the scores he's been shooting, no. Again I could have given him my wife's clubs and he could have shot a better score for 8.5 holes than he did in his second round at the Honda if his swing was in shape.

Originally Posted by k-troop

And, at Rory's level, "breaking in" the new clubs should amount to 3 or 4 range sessions to dial in distances.  His distances are not likely to change with nearly identical irons, but it's probably comforting to hit 50 or so balls with each club and know for sure that you have exact distances.  Likewise the ball would have caused some distance changes, which could be dialed in, but wouldn't turn a perfect shot into a 60-yard pull-hook.

Agreed. But then you go off the deep end again... :)

Originally Posted by k-troop

But that doesn't mean the gear change isn't contributing to his issues.  He cemented his position as #1 in the World last summer from the PGA Championship through the FedEx Cup Playoffs.  Before that, Rory couldn't seem to keep the #1 spot for more than 2 or 3 weeks.

That had something to do with the fact that the others were playing well, too. Particularly Luke Donald.

Originally Posted by k-troop

It has to be tough.  The pressure he's already putting on himself, and then every 8 minutes on the golf channel someone makes a reference to the Nike deal or the equipment change.  Then Tiger wins early in the season while Rory misses a few cuts.  The pressure builds.  Yeah, the only difference in the clubs is the swoosh, but that swoosh is pretty freaking heavy.

He handled the pressure of being #1 just fine, and that's orders of magnitude more of a big deal (as is winning a major) than any equipment deal.

Is the equipment a factor? Nobody is saying it's not a factor. But is it more than even 2% of his reason? No, I don't think it is, and if you think it's even 10% I think you're crazy.

Originally Posted by mvmac

Ok so you guys do get Rory had a new set of clubs last year when he was with Titleist?  Used 910 driver and 710 mb irons in 2011 and 913 and 712 mb irons in 2012.  Most pros put a new driver or set of irons into play every 1-2 years, except for Ryan Moore or KJ Choi who switch every week lol  Dusting Johnson went to the R1 driver and won his first week.  Hunter Mahan had 13 new clubs compared to last year and made the finals of the match play.  Not the equipment, his swing is off.

Originally Posted by spike100

But then again, it took Tiger Woods a decade to get all 14 Nike clubs into his bag, the last being his putter.

Yes... during which time he changed golf balls, irons, fairway woods, drivers, shafts, etc. He even changed his putter after the 1997 Masters (most people forget that).

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by iacas

Nowhere near enough to cause the scores he's been shooting, no. Again I could have given him my wife's clubs and he could have shot a better score for 8.5 holes than he did in his second round at the Honda if his swing was in shape.

Then what's causing the terrible play?  How does someone who is so freaking good suddenly start playing so freaking bad.

There are two explanations:

1. Physical injury.  This has been proffered, but we all (mostly) agree it's BS.

2. The space between his ears is jacked up.

I'm convinced it's #2.  And I strongly believe that the Nike contract (not the clubs per se) is the reason.  He's feeling the pressure of the expectations that come from everything that this deal, and all the hype that accompanied it, means.

Lots of guys have made it to #1.  But I can only think of one other guy who did it with such a level of expectation accompanying it.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Then what's causing the terrible play?  How does someone who is so freaking good suddenly start playing so freaking bad.

There are two explanations:

1. Physical injury.  This has been proffered, but we all (mostly) agree it's BS.

2. The space between his ears is jacked up.

You forgot 0: poor mechanics.

Tiger Woods was pretty good too before he shot 78 or whatever at Firestone. The game of golf is a fickle mistress.

[spike100]

I don’t think we agree on the potential severity of the infection that Mr. Mcllroy was enduring. A moderate to severe pericoronitis infection causes a fever and dehydration, and in the case of a systemic infection (which is common), the patient feels just awful. They are unable to concentrate or perform physical tasks, and they certainly would not be able to execute great golf shots.

--Spike

[iacas]

Originally Posted by spike100

I don’t think we agree on the potential severity of the infection that Mr. Mcllroy was enduring. A moderate to severe pericoronitis infection causes a fever and dehydration, and in the case of a systemic infection (which is common), the patient feels just awful. They are unable to concentrate or perform physical tasks, and they certainly would not be able to execute great golf shots.

I think I (and most other people) disagree that he even HAS an "infection." Even his agent specifically said "he isn't hurt or ill."

[spike100]

Originally Posted by iacas

I think I (and most other people) disagree that he even HAS an "infection." Even his agent specifically said "he isn't hurt or ill."

Well, if he said it was an infection of a wisdom tooth; and it wasn’t, then he was lying (and extensibly cheating) to get out of playing the rest of the tournament.

This sport does not tolerate cheaters.   …oh oh… It’s time to do recovery (An apology is coming?).

[jamo]

Ok so you guys do get Rory had a new set of clubs last year when he was with Titleist?  Used 910 driver and 710 mb irons in 2011 and 913 and 712 mb irons in 2012.  Most pros put a new driver or set of irons into play every 1-2 years, except for Ryan Moore or KJ Choi who switch every week lol  Dusting Johnson went to the R1 driver and won his first week.  Hunter Mahan had 13 new clubs compared to last year and made the finals of the match play.  Not the equipment, his swing is off.

QFT. FWIW, [URL=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324662404578334230972662110.html]here's Nick Price on the topic[/URL]: [QUOTE]Is there a difference between Nike's equipment and Titleist's equipment? Infinitesimal. All of the top five or six big companies these days are so very good. I know the Nike people, and they will make him clubs every bit as good [as] or better than he had.[/QUOTE] [quote name="spike100" url="/t/65205/rory-mcilroy-walks-off-course-at-the-honda-classic/120_30#post_816191"][SIZE=10pt]Well, if he said it was an infection of a wisdom tooth; and it wasn’t, then he was lying (and extensibly cheating) to get out of playing the rest of the tournament.[/SIZE] [SIZE=10pt]This sport does not tolerate cheaters.   …oh oh… It’s time to do recovery (An apology is coming?).[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]--Spike[/SIZE] [/quote] Did he say it was infected? I thought he just says it was sore and the infected thing was a rumor. This is all I can find that has come straight from Rory's mouth (or press release, at least): [QUOTE]I sincerely apologize to The Honda Classic and PGA Tour for my sudden withdrawal. I have been suffering with a sore wisdom tooth, which is due to come out in the near future. It began bothering me again last night, so I relieved it with Advil. It was very painful again this morning, and I was simply unable to concentrate. It was really bothering me and had begun to affect my playing partners.[/QUOTE] Plus that thing he said in the parking lot about not being right mentally. Well hear him speak on Tuesday, at least.

[spike100]

Originally Posted by jamo

QFT.

FWIW, here's Nick Price on the topic:

Did he say it was infected? I thought he just says it was sore and the infected thing was a rumor. This is all I can find that has come straight from Rory's mouth (or press release, at least):

Plus that thing he said in the parking lot about not being right mentally.

Well hear him speak on Tuesday, at least.

Sore in layman's terms can mean anything, but much less than Mcllroy was enduring.

As a health practitioner reading Rory's account of the problem, I would guess it was serious. Rory is a tough kid and a professional who manages injury quite well. He is capable of playing in pain. This time it got worse than he expected, which is common with pericoronitis. Fever and dehydration go together, and the two limit physical activity (especially sports such as golf that require mental aquity).

--Spike

[tpj070]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Ok so you guys do get Rory had a new set of clubs last year when he was with Titleist?  Used 910 driver and 710 mb irons in 2011 and 913 and 712 mb irons in 2012.  Most pros put a new driver or set of irons into play every 1-2 years, except for Ryan Moore or KJ Choi who switch every week lol  Dusting Johnson went to the R1 driver and won his first week.  Hunter Mahan had 13 new clubs compared to last year and made the finals of the match play.  Not the equipment, his swing is off.

Please explain to me the differences in the 710 and 712 except for cosmetics.

[Golfingdad]

Please explain to me the differences in the 710 and 712 except for cosmetics.

Roughly the same as the difference between his 712s and his Nikes... Cosmetic. They're both forged blades. Do you guys realize how ridiculous you sound? You are suggesting that the best golfer in the world ... THE SINGLE BEST GOLFER IN THE WORLD ... Can only play good golf with titleist clubs.

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by spike100

Sore in layman's terms can mean anything, but much less than Mcllroy was enduring.

As a health practitioner reading Rory's account of the problem, I would guess it was serious. ......

So why doesn't he have it fixed?    If he really had a problem with his wisdom teeth or suffering with pericoronitis like you're speculating, why is he taking forever to deal with it?    My dentist can take me in with no appointment if I'm having a significant problem; I'd think Rory would have no problem doing the same (unless he's relying on the UK health system?).      One of Rory's people was quoted saying one of his wisdom teeth has been bugging him for a few months.     Why would he go through the whole off season ignoring it?

I think if any one of us was a pro golfer sitting at #1 and we had a few month before the tourney schedule ramped up again, we'd have taken care of any physical maladies so we could be fully ready to prepare for the Masters.

[Tenerife]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Roughly the same as the difference between his 712s and his Nikes... Cosmetic. They're both forged blades.

Do you guys realize how ridiculous you sound? You are suggesting that the best golfer in the world ... THE SINGLE BEST GOLFER IN THE WORLD ... Can only play good golf with titleist clubs.

Does this mean that the Nike advert was total BS and he and TW didn't really hit those shots.

[Mr. Desmond]

Rors can go months without playing well - the money and another major, and #1 again - have put a swoosh on his back.

The new contract makes him even more of a walking target.

[TourSpoon]

I think McDowell nailed it. Switching to Nike under the most lucrative of conditions and he now he has to perform. It's a little too much pressure, but a couple of good rounds and he will be back in form. It is not the clubs, its the pressure of having to play well that is in his head. Rors will be back.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/golf/rory-mcilroys-meltdown-was-only-a-matter-of-time-g/nWf6T/

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

Rors can go months without playing well - the money and another major, and #1 again - have put a swoosh on his back.

The new contract makes him even more of a walking target.

He can also turn around and win by a fist full of strokes with no notice. That's what the off the charts talent can do, just pop up out of nowhere and lap the field. Look at 2011, missed cut in Quail Hollow then win the US Open by 8 (IIRC) strokes. (this is by memory so correct me if I'm wrong)

He will eventually have an a-ha moment on the range and then look out!

Is it the chicken or the egg? Does he have a nagging swing fault that has messed up his head or a nagging head fault that has manifested as a swing fault? Either way I suspect that there will a monu mental click at some point and he will come roring back.

Nike will get their money's worth in the long run.

[Lihu]

So why doesn't he have it fixed?    If he really had a problem with his wisdom teeth or suffering with pericoronitis like you're speculating, why is he taking forever to deal with it?    My dentist can take me in with no appointment if I'm having a significant problem; I'd think Rory would have no problem doing the same (unless he's relying on the UK health system?).      One of Rory's people was quoted saying one of his wisdom teeth has been bugging him for a few months.     Why would he go through the whole off season ignoring it?    I think if any one of us was a pro golfer sitting at #1 and we had a few month before the tourney schedule ramped up again, we'd have taken care of any physical maladies so we could be fully ready to prepare for the Masters.

I had my first root canal, three years ago. It was really painful. I would have opted to shoot it out, except my dentist made time for me to go in and drill it. No need to numb it. The pain was so bad the deep drilling did not change the amount of pain. I am sure an impacted wisdom tooth would be a gradually painful thing. I wonder if it started being painful during the offseason, and just came to a head at the Honda Classic? According to the article he is having it taken out soon. I guess we will see if he really does, and it would confirm his statement.

[TourSpoon]

If he places well at Doral, we won't even be talking about this.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

If he places well at Doral, we won't even be talking about this.

I think we will, especially if he doesn't have any dental surgery or something today or tomorrow. :P