McIlroy not to play till The Open

First topic message reminder :

I can understand why he would pull out of 'The French' and, of course, he has to periodically rest his back but I would have thought a two week break sufficient to have allowed him to play 'The Scottish' thus enabling him to get some links practice in for Royal St. George's. I'm also given to understand Castle Stuart will be set up in such a way as not to destroy players' confidence going into 'the big one' so I'm wondering if this is such a smart decision?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/8588633/US-Open-champion-Rory-McIlroy-withdraws-from-French-Open-to-let-it-all-sink-in.html

MustPuttBetter wrote:Ha, talking of off topic and hostile........

I felt no hostility and if we all had the same opinion then this site would sadly not exist...

Braveheart, would I also be right in thinking that Rory used his week playing at a different course to Congressional as well? Might explain his thinking for the next few weeks...

sharrison01 wrote: I felt no hostility and if we all had the same opinion then this site would sadly not exist...

Agreed

JPX wrote:

NedB-H wrote:

JPX wrote:Only time will tell, but he will surely be rested and fresh for the Open?

I'm sure I read that McDowell withdrew from this weeks BMW Internationaly Open so that he could join in the celebrations with McIlroy this week, but can't seem to find it now. If that's true then it's inexcusable.

Inexcusable how? As someone said upthread, it's the players' choice to play or miss certain tournaments. Pulling out to enjoy a friend's once in a lifetime celebrations is a pretty good reason to miss a tournament I think.

The ironic thing is that if he'd had an average US Open no one would be worrying about this. The reward for winning is having people scrutinising your every move.

Inexcusable because sponsors were expecting him in the field, I'm sure some fans saw him as a good reason to go to the tournament. But he won't be because his mate won the US Open last week.

He was probably being payed a huge appearance fee by the sponsors too, that they can keep now. They've still got a far better field than many tour events, they don't have a right to expect players to turn up.

Rory misses a number of tournaments every year because he is an Ulster rugby season ticket holder and likes to go to most matches. That is his choice and just maybe taking frequent breaks keeps him fresh.

In the end his choice and no one elses

sharrison01 wrote:Braveheart, would I also be right in thinking that Rory used his week playing at a different course to Congressional as well? Might explain his thinking for the next few weeks...

Yes most of his practice leading upto the US Open was at Pine Valley but he did play 2 rounds at Congressional the week before the tournament started

braveheart101 wrote:Firstly, the winners of the Scottish Open vary rarely do well at the British Open, only twice since 2000 has the winner finished in the top 10 at the British Open.
Second, Tiger Woods always missed the Scottish and practised in Ireland and the lack of competitiveness didn't do him any harm.

Surely the difference in course set up between LL and CS make these two points irrelevant/questionable, as of this year?

Gael,
Sorry didn't respond earlier, been out and about.
Just think Chubbers seems to delight in being slightly contrarian in scheduling his guys.
Obviously he's now got an upper hand over Finchem (thanks to Rory) which will benefit all his top guys; does he have some other power plays at work?

No idea, but Chandler reeks of hidden agendas. Which of course is just like IMG. Note Ernie Els is also skipping it this year.

The Chandler world golf tour perhaps?
Loch Lomond never suited the players for links Open the week after but suited the travel planning.
good thread Gael

I think the Irish PGA is on the week of the Scottish Open. That's the competition Padraig played in before his win. McIlroy could well play in that.

Anyway Rory used to post on here where the heck is he!
Get yourself online and explain plus a thankyou for all the useful tips from 606 would be nice.

kwinigolfer wrote:Gael,
Sorry didn't respond earlier, been out and about.
Just think Chubbers seems to delight in being slightly contrarian in scheduling his guys.
Obviously he's now got an upper hand over Finchem (thanks to Rory) which will benefit all his top guys; does he have some other power plays at work?

No idea, but Chandler reeks of hidden agendas. Which of course is just like IMG. Note Ernie Els is also skipping it this year.

kwini ... it just seems a bit odd that McIlroy needs three weeks away from competitive golf. Somehow, jumping from one major straight into another doesn't seem like a very good plan to me.

There is also the issue too of not wanting to upset one of the few sponsors who's been prepared to commit to a UK venue over a period of years. Having cocked a snoot at the PGA tour, is it really in the Chandler camp's interest to rub up a european tour sponsor the wrong way as well particularly one who's been prepared to host an event in the UK in the first place?

" ... good thread Gael."

Thank you dyna. I'm glad someone appreciates me.

gael,
So we agree then??!!
It seems likely that Darren Clarke (isn't he still sponsored by Barclays?) will be Chubby's only big name guy at Castle Stuart, tho I haven't checked Schwartzel's schedule..

Well, certainly on McIlroy being at Castle Stuart, yes. Hadn't thought about the Chubby Chandler angle until you mentioned it though.

I hope he changes his mind. If nothing else, it'll get his short game into the right competitive mode for Royal St.George's plus Auntie Gael will be there to give him words of encouragement. 8)

Uncle kwini will be giving Mr.Poulter words of encouragement on Friday, if only he'd listen.
Will preface any advice with an Eric Morcambe stifled aarghsenal.

Call me old fashioned, but could it not just be down to "appearance money"
after all to have the current US Open Champion in the field must be worth much doss.

Re: Chubby's boys - isn't Lee W playing the Scottish Open this year? If not, is he playing anywhere that week?

I've just answered my own question by looking on Lee W's website - the Scottish Open is indeed the next tournament listed on his schedule.

http://www.leewestwood.com/tour-schedule.html

Sky,
Yup, realised I'd forgotten Lee as soon as I'd posted. Age you know.

A bit late to point this out, I know, but anybody who plays in the Scottish Open and then the British Open must be over 50.

There are so few major golf events in the UK I am really disappointed they are not supported by all UK players. Moving the Scottish to a links course seems to have overcome the one objection players had to Loch Lomond immediately prior to the Open.
Know nothing of the possible "Chubster" politics, but if anything of that ilk is getting in the way it should be stopped!

Indeed you are correct Braveheart but that was when the SO was at Loch Lomond. With the move to Castle Stuart it is now a much more appropriate preparation for the big one. With it being a fairly forgiving links as well it will be ideal for a lot of the Open field.

Personally if I were McIlroy I would take a 2 week break and play CS without any expectations just to get back in the routine and get the juices flowing again. But hey, that is the opinion of a 7 handicap amateur whose game is in a bit of a mess. I'm sure Rory is more than capable with or without the help of those around him of making the scheduling decisions that are right for HIM.