Rory McIlroy has given an interview about his controversial encounter with Joe LaCava at the Ryder Cup.
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Check out unfiltered opinions each week from our writers and editors covering the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we discuss a shocking new interview with Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods’ TGL team, changes to the World Handicap System and much more.
1. In an interview with Paul Kimmage of the Irish Independent, Rory McIlroy gave more details on the Ryder Cup showdown with Joe LaCava and McIlroy’s parking lot tirade. “Joe LaCava was a nice guy when he was a caddy for Tiger, and now he’s a caddy for this d–,” McIlroy said, referring to Patrick Cantlay, with whom McIlroy added his relationship was average at best. . What do you think of McIlroy’s candid remarks, and where does this story go from here?
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Nick Dimengo, editor-in-chief (instruction) (@ndimengo): It’s interesting to see Rory restart this beef after seemingly moving on and focusing on a little project of his called TGL. For someone elite like him, making a move like this only adds more drama to an already tense golf scene – and I’m here for it!
Josh Sens, Senior Editor (@joshsens): The more interesting solution would be to act surprised by McIlroy’s frankness and lament the (imaginary) days when golf was more of a “gentleman’s game.” But the best solution is this: at least Rory is honest. Inevitably Cantlay will be asked about this, giving him the opportunity to spice things up further, but I suspect any comments he might make would be pretty mild.
Dylan Dethier, senior editor (@dylan_dethier): One of the things that made this dust-up so interesting is how Rory and Cantlay represent such a contrast in styles – the way they play, the way they behave, the way they see the world. A simplistic version of this dichotomy would be that McIlroy follows his heart while Cantlay follows his head (coiffed or not). What is intriguing about this upcoming story? Both Cantlay and McIlroy will help shape the future of the PGA Tour.
2. More TGL news came out last week, as we found out which team Tiger Woods would be playing for: his. Woods will be part of the ownership group of the last of the six teams announced, Jupiter Links Golf Club. What can we glean about the league or its future, with Woods taking a stake in its team?
Sense : I take that as a sign that he really believes in the concept. Or that he believes his participation is essential to his success. Probably a bit of both. This is a fact in the entertainment industry. More people watch things when Tiger is involved. Imagine if he ever got good at live banter. He will be unstoppable.
Dimengo: As Sens said, I think this shows his belief in the idea; which is logical. After all, his name is attached, and it almost feels like something would be missing without Tiger.
Déthier: It establishes that Tiger Woods’ team will play home games every week. This reminds us that it probably doesn’t mean much – at least to begin with. It reminds us that Jupiter, Florida is the international golf capital of the world.
3. What story will be on the front page of your imaginary newspaper tomorrow: Camilo Villegaswho has endured battles on and off the course over the past few years, winning in Bermuda for his first victory in almost a decade? Or Max Homawho won the Nedbank Golf Challenge and could well be on the verge of becoming the best American golfer in the world?
‘I’ve got my little one up there’: Camilo Villegas scores emotional win in Bermuda
Dimengo: Rudy, the Mighty Ducks, March Madness Cinderella; I’m always a fan of underdog stories, so give me Villegas! After changing coaches in February, he is slowly on the path to proving that his hard work and dedication are paying off. Homa is great, but I’ll root for him in the major season when he’s looking for his first.
Sense : Villegas, and it’s not close. His spiral was so prolonged that he practically disappeared from the game. Few people manage to emerge from this kind of oblivion. Add to that what he experienced in the area that really matters – the loss of a daughter – and the story is even more compelling. Homa is extremely friendly, but I’m with Nick: wake me up when he’s in contention in a major tournament.
Déthier: These two are correct, of course. Villegas is the clear answer, and Sens isn’t just saying that because he warned him about it in his column of choice! But I’ll just add that it was very, very cool to see Homa and Justin Thomas, among others, travel to South Africa to perform “Africa’s Major.” The DP World Tour has an incredible geographic schedule, and it’s great to see the PGA Tour stars taking advantage of it. Hopefully this will be codified in some way in the future.
4. Golf governing bodies announced last week that short courses and rounds of nine holes (plus partial rounds after nine holes) can now be entered and immediately count towards your handicap index. Do you like change? Or is the scope of someone’s game not fair?
Your golf handicap is about to get more accurate. here’s how
Dimengo: I completely agree ! With the winter season in full effect (which means shorter days to squeeze in rounds of golf), I welcome this update. Look, if I’m shooting the shoot of my life on a partial shoot, I want this to be part of my index. Then again, if I take the worst shot ever, maybe I’ll rethink it…but I’m a glass half full kind of guy.
Sense : For sure. More the merrier, the merrier. I especially like the partial turn option – it’s just a truer reflection of the way a lot of people play the game these days (and it’s the way they already handicap things in a lot of games). other locations, including the United Kingdom and Ireland). Par-3 courses? Same. There are over 700 in the United States and a lot of people play them. Only about a quarter of them have been evaluated so far, but more will come online by spring, and all are expected to be evaluated by the end of 2024. Will this be a fair reflection? I suppose if you only post scores from par-3 courses, you may find that your index doesn’t travel as well on full courses. There are just more problems to face. The scoring system is of course supposed to take this into account. But even the USGA handicapping peanuts recognize that on a par 3 course, you can be expected to draw your handicap a tiny fraction more often than on a major course. Fewer blast holes. It will be interesting to see how the projections compare to reality when everything officially launches.
Déthier: Sure why not! Look, my buddy Pat plays at Rainier Golf Club in Seattle, where the fairways feel like bowling alleys wide, but can get a little soggy. Take it an hour south to Chambers Bay and we might as well be playing a different sport. The fact is that we are already comparing apples to oranges. May also include some clementines.
5. We close out the LPGA Tour season on Sunday with the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburón in Naples, Florida. What is the storyline that viewers should follow?
Sense : For American fans in particular, Rose Zhang remains a staple of television.
Dimengo: Simplest observation: The fact that Lydia Ko will not be there. With the defending champion failing to qualify, it will be interesting to see who can fill out the winner’s circle by the end of the tournament.
Déthier: There is a certain gravity to ending the year at world No. 1, so I look at the arrivals of current top dog Ruoning Yin (7.76 pts on average), No. 2 Lilia Vu (7.73) and n°3 Céline Boutier (7.62) each of whom seeks to end a career year in style.
