Next month's Masters...McIlroy dreams of a career Grand Slam coronation
Next month's Masters...McIlroy dreams of a career Grand Slam coronation
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"I woke up at three in the morning, and I couldn't get back to sleep."
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), ranking second in the world, was once a three-par lead at the Players Championship of the PGA Tour, which ended on Monday (local time). However, he was caught up by JJ Spun (U.S.) in the final round on Tuesday, and ended up playing a three-hole playoff on the day.
McIlroy was ready to go to bed feeling sorry that he could have done it. McIlroy ordered room service, watched a little bit of the movie "The Devil Wears Prada," and went to bed. But he couldn't fall asleep again at 3 a.m. McIlroy said he was the most nervous as far as I can remember.
He was in a situation where he had no choice but to get stressed ahead of his big moment. He arrived at the stadium about three hours before the overtime. To regain his normal condition, he did the same exercises and warm-up routines as when playing 18 holes.
When the playoff began, however, McIlroy quickly regained his pace. His driver shot at the 16th hole (par 5), the first hole in overtime, crossed the tree and landed on the fairway 334 yards away. McIlroy, who posted his second shot with a pitching wedge, garnered a birdie with two putts to lead Spun, who ended up with a par.
The winner was decided at the 17th hole (par 3) of the famous TPC Sawgrass. The distance was just 130 yards, but when a head wind blew, McIlroy grabbed No. 9 iron instead of wedge. McIlroy's tee shot landed on the green with three-quarters of a soft swing. In contrast, Spun put his tee shot into the water beyond the green, and ended up making a triple bogey.
McIlroy won his second Players Championship after 2019, and his 28th career PGA Tour victory. He continued his strides with two wins in the four competitions he participated in this year. It is the first time that he has had two or more wins even before April.
Attention is now focusing on whether McIlroy will be able to win the Masters, which opens on October 10. McIlroy has failed to achieve his career Grand Slam as he has not won the Masters.
McIlroy is relatively advantageous at the moment. Scottie Scheffler of the U.S., the world's No. 1, has yet to recover his condition after having surgery on his hand. Xander Schauffley of the U.S., the world's No. 3, is also suffering from a rib injury.
After winning the championship, McIlroy showed off his confidence that he could win a big competition. "I think I am a better player than ever. I think I can play in any situation that is in front of me," he said.
The 3-quarter swing of Iron 9, which was used at Hole 17 on the day, is a newly developed shot for a more complete game." It is a type of shot that felt comfortable hitting with a wedge for a long time, but as the ball was changed to a more rotating ball earlier in the season, it is said to be used for Iron now. 바카라
In order to avoid making big mistakes, McIlroy said the management focuses on curbing the impulse. "I don't think I make mistakes at important moments like in the past," McIlroy said.