McIlroy shows he still has much to learn

IN order to succeed in golf, you not only must demonstrate courage and patience, but you also show good judgment.

For most professional golfers, the opportunity to win or even participate in a major championship may never happen. For others, like Rory McIlroy, who at 22 is already the US Open champion, the possibilities are endless.

Or so you would have thought.

On Thursday, he may well have shaped his own destiny in golf’s history books for all the wrong reasons.

By taking on a shot when the ball was resting too close to a tree root he demonstrated that both he and his caddy have much to learn in terms of professional game management.

His actions were indefensible given the circumstances and what was at stake.

This was a reckless act.

The golf tour is littered with people who have niggling, wear-and-tear injuries.

Take Tiger Woods as a prime example. His consistent knee and Achilles tendon injuries have had a huge impact on his recent performances. The resulting lay-off has also meant he has been unable to prepare properly for events causing him to plummet down the world rankings.

Though an MRI scan yesterday show no serious damage to McIlroy’s wrist, the incident should not be glossed over.

A professional golfer relies heavily on their wrists no only to create club head speed (so essential in the modern power game) but also to absorb the impact of the club hitting both the ball and the turf.

The fact this injury occurred on only the third hole also says much for the way ‘Team McIlroy’ must be thinking on the course. Golf at that level, and especially in a major championship, is all about patience and clear-headed thinking. One could possibly understand Rory attempting something on the 72nd hole of the championship when everything was on the line, but not on the third hole of the championship when bogey was the most likely result anyway. Maturity should have told him to accept his punishment. His game is in great shape, the playing conditions were perfect and there were plenty of birdie opportunities remaining over the closing 15 holes.

As fans, we all share McIlroy’s dreams of becoming the world’s greatest golfer. His entry into the professional game has been nothing short of phenomenal but in order to achieve greatness he must remain fit and healthy.

But back to Thursday night. The accident was preventable. The shot selection was wrong. His chances of winning in Atlanta may now be gone but one hopes he will make a full recovery and learn the lessons of his brush with disaster.