Is Rory McIlroy spooked by his ‘big four’ rivals?
At 58 years of age, Langer would have been well aware that time was no longer a friend, as statistically he is already well past his sell by date on an ever competitive Champion’s Tour. So whatever decision he made, it had to be effective immediately.
That he has already won in 2016 says so much about the way Langer has meticulously and diligently dealt with the many obstacles that were in his way throughout his entire professional career.
God only knows the mental strength it must have taken for him to overcome the early hurdles of emerging from a non golfing nation (Germany) to establishing himself on the European Tour or indeed the fact that he has figured out a way, on four separate occasions, to overcome the career threatening “yips” — always remaining competitive on a tour that has significantly moved in his lifetime from finesse and shot-making to one of immense power.
Although all the leading lights in the modern game are power players like Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, and Dustin Johnson, McIlroy in particular could learn a lot from Langer’s professionalism and longevity.
Starting out yesterday’s round, McIlroy had the most to prove. Winless in the majors for almost two years, this was his last opportunity to add a little spark to a lacklustre year, that promised much and yet delivered little.
An opening round of 74 will have done little to improve his mood but while it’s too early to speculate, these must indeed be very frustrating and anxious times for McIlroy.
From the time he was breaking amateur records as a teen, there was a feeling around McIlroy that like Tiger Woods before him, he could be the rare sporting phenomenon that actually lived up to the hype.
That’s because at his best he is so compelling to watch, even to non-golf fans but fame only lasts as long as you are winning and after two majorless seasons, its perhaps not too surprising to find that questions are now being asked by some as to whether McIlroy’s career has in fact already peaked or if he been spooked by the equally impressive performances of Day, Spieth, and Johnson?
It must be remembered that Rory emerged as a star and won his first two majors in 2011 and 2012 while being wholly dependent on his driver and irons for his success. During that time he was the best in the world on those long shots but his putting was average at best.
In 2013, his driving was no where near as consistent and for that reason alone he lost most of his competitiveness but in 2014, the foundations of his best year were built around brilliant driving and long irons as well as a greatly improved putter.
The problem with McIlroy’s putting in particular is that his performances are hugely inconsistent and currently there is nothing to suggest that he can sustain the level of putting that previously won him his four major championships.
The fact of the matter is that McIlroy and all other elite sportsmen live on a very, very fine line and others have challenged his dominance. So right now he is vulnerable and he must do everything in his power to make sure that he doesn’t now fall off the competitive edge.
Through all of his struggles, Bernhard Langer has always understood the value in protecting his inner confidence and his arrogance. He has always had 100% belief in what he is doing and that he would always find a solution to whatever problem he was faced with.
Right now, McIlroy needs to show that same resolve before the imperious manner in which he carried himself in his early years as a professional becomes a little less convincing.
While professional golf at McIlroy’s level is very much a game of confidence and competence, it is imperative now that McIlroy finds his own solutions.
Perhaps, the best starting point there would be for him to define how he currently sees golf — as a game that he still loves to play so much that he wakes up looking for his clubs very morning or one that he will only play for as long as he’s competitive.
Either way a long chat with Bernhard Langer would do him no harm at all.
