Blessed are the peacemakers, especially when they intervene during a car park fracas that might be injurious to the dignity of all involved. Last week, golfer Shane Lowry emerged as the noble hero who diffused a heated exchange at the Ryder Cup, demonstrating remarkable composure. The incident occurred when Rory McIlroy, in a fit of anger, berated Jim “Bones” Mackay after an earlier altercation with another competitor’s caddie. Lowry, drawing on his Offaly wisdom, intervened and managed to redirect the attention towards Europe’s victory over America in Rome, preventing a potential repeat of the “Miracle at Medinah”.
Prior to this incident, McIlroy had clashed with Joe LaCava, Patrick Cantlay’s caddie, during the final holes of the course. McIlroy accused LaCava of unsportsmanlike behavior for cheering Cantlay’s putt, which disrupted McIlroy’s concentration. He also claimed that LaCava obstructed his line of vision. McIlroy, known for his emotional nature and struggles in major tournaments, finds such behavior particularly distressing. Seeking solace from his woes, McIlroy turns to a higher power, even more elevated than Lowry.
Interestingly, McIlroy revealed that he drew inspiration from the wisdom of emperor Marcus Aurelius while in Rome, aligning himself with Stoicism. McIlroy is not alone in his admiration for Stoicism, as fans of the American website Daily Stoic can confirm. The site offers not only a leather-bound edition of Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations for $110 but also intricately designed Memento Mori medallions and pendants representing courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom, priced at $245. Additionally, the website features books by marketing specialist and podcaster Ryan Holiday, including titles like Ego Is the Enemy and The Obstacle Is the Way (perhaps not as relevant when the obstacle is a caddie).
The appeal of Stoicism is understandable. It offers a sound and comforting philosophy that advocates for the development of fortitude and acceptance in the face of misfortune and the certainty of death. While the world may be unfair and unpredictable, one can find courage and persevere. Stoicism, alongside other ancient texts like Sun Tzu’s The Art of War or Machiavelli’s The Prince, presents itself as a historically proven solution to timeless challenges. However, such approaches tend to be associated with masculinity, leaving women with recommendations to declutter their surroundings and engage in self-care activities like eating, praying, and loving to find solace.
As someone from a divided country, aware that even his choice of a national team can be controversial, McIlroy has valid reasons to seek external sources of support. When the PGA Tour partnered with LIV Golf in June, despite his strong opposition, McIlroy described feeling like a “sacrificial lamb”. Just weeks before, he had failed to make the cut at the US Masters. It is only natural that he would turn to the teachings of Epicetus and Seneca or even rely on the calming presence of Lowry as he navigates through these challenges.
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