McIlroy fails to grasp his position in golf

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

RORY McILROY may well be one of the best golfers in the world - and he is - but when it comes to golf politics and PR, I am afraid that he is a 28-handicapper.

"I took up golf to win tournaments, not to help grow the game," he said at Troon. As if that were not bad enough, he then announced that although he would be watching the Olympics, he would not be watching the Rio golf tournament. Oh Rory, do you not understand that your position within the golf means that it IS your responsibility to help grow the game, that youngsters hang on your every word?

The stance he has taken in defence of his decision to withdraw from the golf tournament at the Olympic Games saw him come across as a self-centred, self-obsessed and spoilt young man. And anybody who knows Rory McIlroy will tell you that he is none of these things.

Golf has given McIlroy a millionaire lifestyle. If he never wins another golf tournament it would hardly make any difference to his bank balance, such are the sponsorship deals his talent has secured for him. But does he not realise that those rewards are entirely dependent upon the continued success of the PGA Tour and European Tour? If spectators stop turning up, if television viewers reach for the 'off' button, does McIlroy really believe that he and his ilk will continue to be so well rewarded for hitting a little white golf ball into a hole?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqKi_sMdF1Q

Rory comments on his Olympic plans

Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods understood how important it was to say the right thing. Phil Mickelson knows how important it is so stand for hours after a round, signing hundreds of autographs. Jordan Spieth realises the importance of remaining humble, thanking everybody for coming to watch him.

If the golfing media want an opinion on any issue, the first man they speak to is Nicklaus. And they do that because they know Nicklaus has always thought outside the box. Yes, he won 18 majors, and you need to be pretty selfish to achieve those kind of standards, but he has also always understood his place in the world of golf. When he offers an opinion, whether it be about technology, golf courses or declining participation, people listen. And they take note.

McIlroy knew that the world was hanging on his every word when asked to justify his withdrawal from the Olympic Games. Don't forget that last year he was telling anybody who would listen that the Games represented a golden opportunity to showcase golf to the world. He specifically talked about it as a chance to grow the sport.

When he withdrew, citing concerns over the Zika virus as his reason for doing so, there was huge disappointment, but we respected his decision - just about. Why didn't he stick to that line? Why did he choose to tell the world's media that he didn't turn professional to help grow the game?

Whether he likes it or not, that IS his role. In the cold light of day, when he looks back at the TV pictures of his press conference and reads the press reports, it is to be hoped that he realises he has put his foot in it. Prior to making his Ryder Cup debut, McIlroy played down the competition - after competing in it for the first time, his views had changed dramatically.

It is to be hoped that if golf survives to the Tokyo Olympics that McIlroy realises the scale of his gaffe - and makes a point of saying so. There is no greater honour than being asked to represent your country at the Olympic Games, no matter what the sport might be. Around the world, there will be tens of thousands of athletes unable to believe that a group of multi-millionaire golfers have given up the opportunity to represent their countries at the greatest show on earth.

For their sakes, I hope that McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson et al don't live to regret their decisions. I have a feeling they already do.