First time, long time.
What do the NLU guys actually think of Rory? There doesnt seem to be alot of love for the Mcrib. He cant close, thats a given but why the Mcilhate?
I heard Randy was actually dating Caroline Wozniacki when one day she broke up with him via text. Next thing you know, she’s on tv with Rors. He’s been persona non grata ever since.
In reality - I think the guys love Rory. He’s as good a sport as you can find, and he definitely seems to get what NLU is all about (despite taking the GolfPass cash). The pods he did are a bit old now, but they might be the best, most honest, most insightful of all the player interview pods. Which is saying something, because Rory has ZERO reason to give insightful answers to ANY media.
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I agree, the NLU podcast interview with rory was great, probably the best interview he has done. You’d like to think if it wasnt for all his commercial arrangements he’d be good for another pod with NLU. They have certainly changed my opinion of JT. Wasn’t a fan until I listened to him on the pod
I’d love this to become a safe space for Rory takes…
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I’ll go.
Rory is so rich that it’ll stunt his ability to win majors. Not hungry enough.
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When Hal Sutton said Tigers greatest achievement was maintaining his drive to win after making so much money, I thought “that’s dead on and I can’t believe I never considered it”.
I remember my dad telling me that all the people he knew who were very successful in their 20-30s totally shit the bed later in life because they had nothing left to achieve.
You could look at it as it’s pretty amazing that he’s still trying after making all that $. Is he as hungry as he was 10 years ago? Not likely.
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I struggle to think of an athlete that laid a bigger egg on a more important stage (for a few reasons) than Rory at Portrush. He’s brilliant. I love him as a player and person. The fact remains. What a goose egg that was.
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The rush of watching him chase making the cut on that Friday and all the Northern Irish cheering him through the back nine was something else. But yeah, he shit the bed bad on Thursday.
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Yeah he definitely wasn’t hungry enough to get back to World No. 1.
Love the mcrib, probably my favorite golfer outside of Tiger. IMO he’s got the best swing on tour is an all around great listen and ambassador for the game, he’s also too smart/introspective for his own good.
Gotta have amnesia in golf, Rory seems incapable of that. Hats off to him for being one of the greatest golfers of any generation while carrying around some serious demons.
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Personally, as of today, 6/25/2020, I’d rank the current players in this order in a “your life depends on it” match.
JT
Bryson
Rors
Brooks
Rahm
As of 6/25/2020, if I had to bet everything I have on a player winning two more majors it would go like so:
JT
Brooks
Rahm
Bryson
Cantlay
Xander
Rors
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Great takes. I think he has the hunger, he just seems to blow up in final rounds. Almost like he doesnt believe he is the man
If MY life depended on it?
Bryson’s talent is astounding, but he’s one of the last guys I’d take in a “your life depends on it” match. He’s clearly a headcase, and he’s proven thus far to be really streaky (I don’t have data to support this, just seems like he gets on heaters and then we don’t hear from him much for a few months). I’m interested to see if the new, beefier, bomb-ier, Bryson enables him to have the top-10 consistency of the Rorys and DJs.
Also - if you’re saying you like Xander’s odds of two or more majors over Rory’s, I’ll take that action all day. I love Xander, but I feel like he’s a tier down from those guys in terms of just plain old talent.
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I just want to state a couple things for the Rory record:
- Twitter peaked when Rory clapped back at Elkington about having $200M, not $100M.
- I think turning 30 and the emergence of Brooks has/will push Rory to a new level (or maybe back to the level he was at in 2012-14). Nothing like a milestone birthday to get your ass in gear, in any walk of life.
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Floyd won the US Open at 43, Trevino won the PGA at 44, Hale Irwin won the US Open at 45 to name a few. (Plenty of others, but chose these guys as their closest in terms of majors won).
Rory is 31…
Also, let the record show that he’s currently 2nd in SG: Tee-to-green, 2nd in scoring average, and 4th in SG:Total.
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This was real time- yesterday. I stand by it. For someone who is “clearly a headcase” I’ll remind you he’s 26 years old, he’s won 5 times on the PGA Tour. He’s won the NCAA and the US Am.
Bryson’s a winner, like him or not. And now he’s at least 25 yards longer. So yeah, I’ll take him.
As for Xander, you’re on for $100. Friend me on Venmo Laz-Versalles so I know how to pay you. 
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If Ray Floyd had $100M he would not have played in the '86 Open.
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Interesting thread. I suspect I’m in a minority here (other than maybe Buckoaus), but I don’t buy the lack of hunger as the reason for his lack of recent success in majors.
He seems like someone who needs to be the Alpha. I think he realised around 2015/2016 that it wasn’t so easy anymore with the emergence of Spieth, and then Koepka as the “best player”. I suspect those rounds with Spieth in 2015/2016 when Jordan hit it all over the place, yet still beat Rory (am particularly remembering the 2016 Masters) knocked Rory’s confidence.
In addition (or maybe because of) he became a poor player under the highest pressure (Masters final rounds / Portrush 1st hole).
I think he’s desperate to win majors again and it’s not for a lack of trying, effort or money. However, I’m sure he’s happy for others to propagate this theory (and maybe he even fuels the fire with comments) as it simply lessens the pressure on him. I certainly don’t buy the he’s “too smart” theory, as his numerous verbal gaffes over the years don’t support this.
Is the above pure speculation? Sure… but, so is saying he lost the “hunger/desire”.
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Anyone see the shot today from Phil where he hit a low runner from the fairway. Like 230 out on par 5 #13 I think. Punched an iron. Never got more than 20’ off the ground and ran 40 yards up to the fringe.
Super creative. A ton of feel.
That’s the tool I think Rory is missing.
Not that he couldn’t hit that shot, but he wont.
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