It is human nature to secretly wish your opponent failure, whether in sports or in other areas of life. But for some reason or another, it’s absolutely forbidden in golf, a gentleman’s sport. While most Augusta National rules are considered archaic, not encouraging a player’s misfortunes on the course seems like a rule we all agree on.
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Rory McIlroy admits he committed a big sin
“You don’t want to wish anyone harm, but you’re really hoping for a three-putt”
JUNE 21, 2023 19:10
by ANDREA GUSSONI | VIEW 1461
Rory McIlroy admits he committed a big sin(Provided by Tennis World USA)
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It is human nature to secretly wish your opponent failure, whether in sports or in other areas of life. But for some reason or another, it’s absolutely forbidden in golf, a gentleman’s sport. While most Augusta National rules are considered archaic, not encouraging a player’s misfortunes on the course seems like a rule we all agree on.
“Such occurrences have been rare at the Masters,” wrote Augusta National Golf Club founder Bobby Jones. But we must eliminate them completely”.
Rory McIlroy, statements
And yet, late Sunday afternoon at the Los Angeles Country Club, Rory McIlroy could not help himself.
And who could blame him? For the umpteenth time, the four-time Major winner had a golden opportunity to add a fifth trophy of this magnitude to his list. But as in St Andrews last July, the Northern Irishman was simply not successful putter in hand.
While he had concluded his tournament in -9, he had to wait for the leader Wyndham Clark to end his tournament with his mark of -10. Despite some unfortunate shots at the end of the course, the latter found the 72nd green of the LACC in two, needing only two putts to win the US Open, something he did not miss.
As he watched the scene from the clubhouse, McIlroy let a dark thought creep into his mind. “You don’t want to wish anyone harm, but you’re really hoping for a three-putt,” McIlroy admitted. You’re hoping to somehow make it into a playoff to keep giving yourself a chance.
» There’s a lot to be said for McIlroy in the aftermath of yet another bitter setback, but one thing that can never be taken away from him is his honesty. Few players would admit to having such a thought, especially in these days when everyone is praising the guy who just ripped their hearts out behind the 72nd green.
But it’s the most natural thought one could have as a player one shot from the leader. McIlroy wouldn’t have reached the heights he has reached in the sport if he hadn’t been a little selfish. And besides, he was certainly not the only one.
“There’s only one man you’re cheering on, and that man is yourself at that moment,” he added. Yeah, I think we just hope the other guy makes a mistake or gives you a glimmer of hope in this situation…”
