Rory McIlroy showcased his talent with a final-round 64 at TPC River Highland in Connecticut, finishing tied for seventh on 18-under. While he was satisfied with his performance before heading to the British Open next month, there was an undertone of dissatisfaction. McIlroy voiced his dislike for tournaments that turn into birdie fests, like the one where Keegan Bradley emerged victorious with a score of 23-under.
Expressing his concerns, McIlroy remarked, “Unfortunately, this course has become obsolete due to advancements in technology. Even with the soft conditions caused by rain, it fails to present the challenge it once did. It’s a topic that circles back to limiting the golf ball and similar discussions. Courses like this just don’t provide the test they used to.”
McIlroy stands out as one of the few prominent golfers who supports the R&A and US Golf Association’s plans to impose restrictions on the ball. Set to be implemented in 2025, these regulations could reduce the average driving distances for big hitters like McIlroy by up to 15 yards. McIlroy, however, opposes the idea of altering courses to counteract the dominance of long hitters.
He believes that growing the rough and creating difficult conditions don’t lead to the creation of extraordinary golf courses. “When you have soft conditions like this, and the best players in the world, expect birdie fests,” he added.
McIlroy understands that his perspective doesn’t align with the majority of his peers. Despite that, he feels these changes will make it easier to identify the top players. Reflecting on the current state of golf, he stated, “Golf has been dumbed down at the elite level. We’ve witnessed a ‘bomb and gouge’ approach in recent years. I think returning to a more well-rounded style of play will bring greater success.”
With over £500,000 in prize money, McIlroy has surpassed Dustin Johnson to claim the third spot in all-time PGA Tour earnings, totaling over $75 million. While Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson remain formidable foes as the top two in earnings, McIlroy, at just 34 years old, has the opportunity to chase them down, especially with the increasing prize purses fueled by Saudi Arabian investment.
However, McIlroy’s immediate focus is on the upcoming Major. “After taking two weeks off, I’ll head to Scotland and be fully prepared for the Open,” he affirmed.
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