Rory wins in Dubai! But…

Rory wins in Dubai!  But…

It’s really interesting that, on route to winning the Race To Dubai this year Rory won 4 times, accumulating just under $25million!  By almost anyone’s standards that is a great year.  But…

The lack of that elusive 5th Major still hangs around his neck.  His near miss in his loss to Bryson at the US Open was classed as him “bottling it” and came on the back of a T22nd at The Masters and T12th at the US PGA.  Of course he missed the cut at Troon but followed up with a near miss at Royal County Down, T3 in Abu Dhabi and then, of course, a win this weekend.  A win percentage of just under 20%, in a sport where many players can go a lifetime without ever achieving one.

I have long held the belief that Rory is unfortunately so talented that he is constantly measured by Tiger’s yardstick.  Faldo won 6 Majors, was he a failure?  Is Brooks Koepka a failure for only winning 5?  What about Phil the thrill with 6?  Seve, 5? Els, 4?  Ironically the only player who arguably has had comparable criticism for their failure to win enough majors is Rory’s nemesis, Greg Norman!

 

2025 has the potential to be a pivotal year for Rory.  On the back of a turbulent couple of years, and being used as a mouth piece by the PGA Tour against LIV, the potential for a broad agreement moving forwards would remove some of the external pressures.  His home life looks to be settled and seeing the family unit celebrating together on Sunday looked a far cry from the divorce proceedings earlier in the year. 

A Ryder Cup where America are going to be under real pressure if the recent reports regarding payments are to believed should fuel the European support further into a potential away victory at Bethpage.

 

All that could be set against a backdrop where, after instituting some swing changes at the end of this year, Rory might just get the monkey off his back at Augusta and complete his career Grand Slam, becoming only the 6th man to do so.  Then what?  Well Rory has the potential homecoming, as the triumphant hero, back to Royal Portrush.  The scene of one of the most disappointing results of his career, missing the cut after a torrid first day, only to come oh so close after a fantastic second round.  The scene where another Irishman, Shane Lowry, stole all the headlines, winning The Open after its long-awaited return to Northen Ireland.

A win on the rugged North Atlantic coast would be all the sweeter after the tumults of the last few years, and what odds would you lay against him?

I certainly won’t be betting against him!

 


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