Where does Rory sit among all time greats? Nicklaus and Woods are clear, ahead of everyone, so the debate is whether or not Rory might be considered as high as third.
For me the answer is not yet, but he has every chance to be. A lot depends on how you weight the eras, as the competition is much deeper these days.
Best European ever? Rory has a solid case to say that, although some might argue that Seve was a catalyst, elevating European golf from also-ran status to going toe-to-toe with the Americans. You might say Seveās charisma, and the change before/after, was a bit like Shanks at Liverpool. Others followed and won even more, but he was the one who made it possible.
Rory as the best of his generation? Maybe. But what is a generation? Tiger is a decade older, and he is out of sight. Scheffler is a decade younger, so he has a lot more time on his side than Rory, and he is already in the ballpark of what Rory has achieved and might go higher by the time they have both hung up their clubs.
Itās always a fascinating argument. When he started wining Majors I thought Rory had a good chance to get up to Nicklaus/Woods territory, but then he had a āsilentā decade.
He is definitely one of the best ever and has a solid case to be the best ever European.
Noticed HBO Max had been showing it via TNT Sports, I suppose in a way it helped modify the PGA Tour and also changed the DP World tour so maybe its had its impact.
They had a LIV event at one of the local courses here, Chatham Hills, not all that long ago. A few colleagues went and I didnāt go on the principle of it. Iām glad to hear it is struggling. Good.
Tournament starting here tomorrow. Iām working tomorrow, Friday, Sunday on hole 13. We all wear same outfits, but Iāll be wearing a wide brimmed sun hat, as opposed to the traditional ball cap. Oh, and some Oakleyāsā¦becauseā¦
Honestly, it doesnāt bode well for Newcastle. This is seemingly part of a pattern of them turning away from extravagant spending to support sports washing and instead trying to be a bit more rational on the need for a RoI (even if the return is not fully financial).
I hadnāt heard of him but read up. Seems like a thoroughly decent human being. Made up for him, and that putt was incredible. Such a tough course, punishing rough, very difficult green ācomplexesā especially on the back nine. But Aaron Rai played so well and won it in style.
Rory, my go to preference, was there or thereabouts but just could not spark to life. The short par four he bogeyed killed him, and he didnāt birdie any of the par 5s, which for him is not good at all.
Anyway, well played Aaron Rai. A very pleasant lazy afternoonās viewing in these parts.
Magical last 10 holes for Aaron Rai, and a deserved major championship. Heās been on the radar for about the past 3-4 years. Heās had some big wins on the European/World tour, and won the Wyndham in Greensboro a couple years ago. Heās been close a few other times, and is an incredibly steady playerānot flashy, just solid and steady. Also one of the nicest, kindest players on tour, who has a reputation of going out of his way to be kind and thankful to the people volunteering and working for the tournaments. Worthy champion, and fitting, I feel, for a kind and thoughtful person of color to win on US soil. Iām sure some ketchup was spilled by a fat orange man last evening.
Yeah I normally dislike the US soap opera/personal interest emphasis of their sports coverage, but that was one where it landed. Its remarkable that not only does no one have a bad word to say about him but how many of his fellow pros are gushing in happiness for him and speaking so highly of him as a person.
