PADRAIG HARRINGTON BELIEVES Rory McIlroy is in good shape going into the US Open.
The 25-year-old claimed the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last weekend with close friend Shane Lowry taking the runners-up spot after finishing a shot back.
The victory came just days after McIlroy released a statement revealing that he was calling off plans for his wedding with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, which had been due to take place this summer.
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When asked about the decision, Harrington said:
“I don’t know anything and I’m not the close family source who can tell you what’s happening behind the scenes. But I will say, looking from the outside, it looks like he got a real shock when he saw the invites go out for the wedding and realised he just wasn’t ready for it.
“He made an incredibly brave decision to pull the plug at that stage. A lot of people would just drift on through and try bury their head in the sand. It was a really tough decision – tough for him and tough for Caroline.”
Harrington and his wife Caroline launch his new Dunnes Stores clothing range.
With Tiger Woods absent due to his back problems, McIlroy is the bookies’ favourite going into the US Open on 9 June.
“I think last week he had a good week but that’s what it was, a good week. It really puts him in good stead going into the US Open,” added Harrington.
That’s a big, big stepping stone for him in terms of his momentum and confidence.For another player, winning the PGA Championship would have been a peak. That’s not the peak for him, it’s just helping him up to it.
“Rory is massively affected by momentum in his game and we’ve seen that over the years. When he is on a good run, he can win three events in four weeks. Very few golfers can do that. When he’s on a bad run, he is average.
“Momentum is a massive thing, confidence, the ability to be patient on the golf course comes when good things are happening. He looks like he will have a great season now all off the back of that one event.”
'He made an incredibly brave decision' - Harrington on McIlroy's wedding cancellation
PADRAIG HARRINGTON BELIEVES Rory McIlroy is in good shape going into the US Open.
The 25-year-old claimed the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last weekend with close friend Shane Lowry taking the runners-up spot after finishing a shot back.
The victory came just days after McIlroy released a statement revealing that he was calling off plans for his wedding with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, which had been due to take place this summer.
When asked about the decision, Harrington said:
“I don’t know anything and I’m not the close family source who can tell you what’s happening behind the scenes. But I will say, looking from the outside, it looks like he got a real shock when he saw the invites go out for the wedding and realised he just wasn’t ready for it.
“He made an incredibly brave decision to pull the plug at that stage. A lot of people would just drift on through and try bury their head in the sand. It was a really tough decision – tough for him and tough for Caroline.”
With Tiger Woods absent due to his back problems, McIlroy is the bookies’ favourite going into the US Open on 9 June.
“I think last week he had a good week but that’s what it was, a good week. It really puts him in good stead going into the US Open,” added Harrington.
“Rory is massively affected by momentum in his game and we’ve seen that over the years. When he is on a good run, he can win three events in four weeks. Very few golfers can do that. When he’s on a bad run, he is average.
“Momentum is a massive thing, confidence, the ability to be patient on the golf course comes when good things are happening. He looks like he will have a great season now all off the back of that one event.”
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Golf Momentum Padraig Harrington Pinehurst Rediscovering form Rory McIlroy US Open Wenworth