Down to earth approach has kept Rory out of rough
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.”
Watson’s comment always stuck in my head and over the years I discovered his observation is largely true.
And that’s why the recent television documentary in which Watson followed McIlroy for six months was so unique. Even before he won the US Open, the 22-year-old had entered a different stratosphere.
By rights, McIlroy could have waved goodbye to BBC Northern Ireland and said hello to ESPN.
However, it’s a measure of his character that he didn’t forget the local journalist who chartered his rise from top amateur to world-class professional.
McIlroy’s loyalty to family, friends, sponsors and a journalist was one of the key features of the programme.
In the case of McIlroy’s relationship with Watson, the ordinary viewer probably wouldn’t appreciate how rare it is for a megastar to show such allegiance to a local reporter.
In other instances, his sense of duty was blatantly obvious, no more so than when he fulfilled his obligations to appear at an event the morning after he had won the US Open.
The young Holywood man has been reared on old-fashioned principles. He gave his word that he’d be there, and that means something to him.
Although an extremely engaging programme, there was a sense we rarely got a glimpse of the person behind the golfer.
While Rory: Major Breakthrough promised unprecedented access to McIlroy’s life the end product was quite different. When it was aired again last week, we were told Rory and his girlfriend were going strong. The following morning we awoke to discover they had broken up.
We also saw Rory sitting in a foyer with his father the morning after the night before. Trouble is, we really wanted to see the night before. We saw him sleeping on a private jet. We heard him saying all the right things when he visited his golf club and his old school. It was all very polished.
By the time we learned Wayne Rooney had sent Rory a text of congratulations, it was difficult to understand what a footballer from a council estate in Liverpool would have in common with this media-savvy golfer from north Down.
Yet, those who have followed McIlroy’s career would appreciate he has much in common with Rooney. Blessed with a God-given natural talent, both men are ferociously competitive and share an innate belief they can be the best in the world.
Although not a great fan of golf, my real admiration for McIlroy began when he was the first pro who bared his teeth and announced he wouldn’t be scared of playing Tiger Woods. At that time Woods’ form had nose-dived, yet all the other pros were still terrified of him and refused to rattle his cage.
McIlroy had spoken the words of a champion-elect. It was like watching a wildlife programme. While he wasn’t necessarily the first to recognise the leader of the pack was wounded, he was the only one who stood up and declared he would fancy his chances in a head-to-head. He demonstrated he was Tiger’s natural successor.
When McIlroy decimated the field at Congressional, he delivered a performance that had been coming for some time. But his ability to handle success will determine the remainder of his career.
If he is to fulfil his true potential he must overcome the obstacles that come with global celebrity. No 22-year-old man can be completely equipped for such a challenge.
The late Laurent Fignon was catapulted into the same world when he won the Tour de France at the same age. Recounting the episode Fignon once wrote: “I thought the world revolved around me, and I have to admit: you come to a point where you genuinely believe that. You are constantly made to feel like you are the centre of things so you think that way.”
Luckily for Fignon he managed to break out of the bubble, largely because he remained close to his childhood friends, who kept him grounded.
McIlroy has never forgotten where he came from. Up until recently, it was not uncommon to see him in Belfast on a night out with his mates. In the archive footage that was shown in the aftermath of Congressional, he repeatedly voiced his appreciation to his parents. It would be a shame if Rory didn’t follow Tiger Woods and become a routine winner of majors.
But it would be a bigger shame if he becomes too much like Tiger, a media-managed, corporate product, machine-stripped of any personality or charm. Last week McIlroy’s management company released a statement confirming he had broken up with his girlfriend. Why? He is 22. It happens.
Golf doesn’t need another Tiger Woods. But it could do with Rory McIlroy. The real Rory that is.
p.heaney@irishnews.com
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