Down to earth approach has kept Rory out of rough

ONE of the major drawbacks facing a TV sports reporter was once revealed to me by Stephen Watson from the BBC.

Our exchange took place several years ago in a supermarket aisle. Watson had just done a great interview with the emerging Rory McIlroy and I complimented him on his work. Even at that time, Watson knew that McIlroy was destined for stardom and said as much. He was also convinced his days interviewing McIlroy were numbered.

An experienced broadcast journalist, Watson said: “In Northern Ireland, we get access to stars when they are on their way up, and we get them when they are on the way down, we don’t get near them when they are at their peak.”