GARY PLAYER WOULD not be surprised to see Rory McIlroy triumph at Royal Birkdale this week, even though the 2014 Open champion comes into this year’s event in dismal form.
Hampered by injuries in 2017, McIlroy failed to make the weekend at last month’s U.S. Open and also missed the cut in his two most recent outings – at the respective Irish and Scottish Opens.
Nevertheless, golfing great Player – a three-time winner of the Claret Jug – feels the Northern Irishman is very much a contender this week.
In an exclusive interview with Omnisport at the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Luxury Spa, Player said: “I’ve always been a big McIlroy fan, he has a swing reminding me of a ballet dancer, it reminds me a lot of Ben Hogan’s swing, to a degree.
“Rory’s had a few bad weeks, missing the cut three times, but golf is a strange game – a lot of things happen that have never happened before.
“I don’t remember ever seeing a top-class guy miss three cuts in a row, but that might be to his advantage. Suddenly he relaxes, there’s no pressure on him, he goes back to his coach [Michael Bannon].
“He’s a very wise young man, he doesn’t have lessons from every Tom, Dick and Harry, he sticks to the one coach. And his coach, I love the way he thinks and teaches, so Rory could come back like that,” Player emphasised with a click of his fingers.
“And let me tell you, he’s a very aggressive player and to be a major championship winner, you’ve got to be aggressive. You cannot be a safe, conservative player. So I think Rory’s got a great chance this week.”
Player also talked up the chances of Jordan Spieth, after underlining the importance of a good short game to any prospective champion.
“Putting wins golf tournaments, [along with] chipping, bunker play, shots from 100 yards in,” added the 81-year-old South African.
“Jordan Spieth is the best putter in the world today and it’s the kind of golf course Jordan Spieth could win on.
“He does have a fault in his swing that could be rectified. And if he does find it, which I’m sure he will, he will definitely go to number one in the world. Because when you putt like that, honestly, it’s remarkable to watch him.”
-Omni
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Totally out of form but at 20/1 might worth a tenner.. last time he won the British Open he was in similar form was around the same price. Also skybet are paying 10 places this week..
@Irishoversea: there is no such tournament as the British Open. It’s The Open. That’s it.
@David: it’s British tho. It’s why it’s only played in Britain
@David: and it known as the British open.
@Irishoversea: It was played in Northern Ireland in 1951 and will be again in 2019.
@Craba: 20/1 is not a great price. Johnson is the favourite at 12/1
@Craba: never said it was great price. It’s worth a tenner in my opinion. Rory is usually 10/1 for a major. I think when you get him at 20/1 he’s always worth a bet. form is temporary class is permanent
@Irishoversea: it’s Not, it’s called The Open is it’s official name. Try to keep up. The yanks call it the British Open, and they’re stupid… but whatever you associate yourself with.
@Irishoversea:
Just give the tenner to Charity. Either way you’ll be down a tenner, but you’ll feel a lot better about it. :)
@Craba: it’s only tenner man I’m sure I can afford to lose it..
@Irishoversea: British like Rory
Well worth a wager that he will miss the cut. Zero chance of being a contender on Sunday afternoon
@John Ryan: I’ll see your bet and raise it john. I say he will finish top 10.
New Driver, New Putter, New Irons, New Wife, recovering from injury, No form this is the easiest LAY in sports betting…. He has absolutely Zero chance…
If current form is anything to go by I would not think so.
Have 20 on harrington at 50/1
What are the odds in missing the cut
@ktsiwot: 11/4
@Irishoversea: cheers
Gary Player talks more shite than most people on journal. He always has an opinion and is rarely correct.