Rory Commences Biennial Pre-Ryder Cup Competition To See Who Can Provide The Most Provocative Bulletin Board Material

Granted, he was just being honest. But maybe this is the spark Tiger needs to get his game going:

“I’m sure we’ll probably see him (Woods) in Wales,” said McIlroy.

“I would love to face him in the Ryder Cup.

“Unless his game rapidly improves in the next month or so, I think anyone in the European team would fancy his chances against him.

“There are a lot of Americans playing better than him at the minute, but it’s always an advantage to have Tiger in your team.

“I think Corey Pavin will pick him because I don’t think it would go down too well in the States if he wasn’t picked.”

Comments

[jason]

As long as he can back it up. Kind of like how we're still waiting for a major from this latest 'next big thing'.

[McStumpy]

I know, I know - he's 21 now and we're still waiting for that first major. The boy's all washed up.

Silly comments, though - this will only pump Tiger up. I remember Casey making similar noises before playing Tuger in the 2004 Singles, and he was duly horsed. A little less conversation and a little more action, please.

[Tim in Hoylake]

Washed up at 21 - I don't think so, but Casey definitely is. However Casey can get free drinks for many years because of his walk-off Hole in 1 in 2007. It's not everyday you can give the other team an eagle before they've even teed off and still not lose the hole. Especially on the par 3.

I think the whole Ryder Cup media circus will be heavy with sarcasm and cynicism this year. We are in a post-Tigerist world. At least Rory and Poulter will be good for a few honest quotes.

[JDF]

Of course the onus on McIlroy/McDowell is not so much to dismantle Woods/Furyk if they play, but to make a hit-and-giggle exhibition of it.

[Scott]

Jason, thanks for the hearty Friday morning laugh. I'm sure Rory is absolutely devastated that he hasn't broken through for a major by the ripe old age of 21.

It's nice to know Tiger's fans still have his back, leaping to attack even the most obvious and reasonable comments that don't big-up their boy.

[RM]

"fancy his chances" as bulletin board material? please. i see four honest, truthful and obvious statements and a fifth saying he would like the opportunity to play tiger, the same thing he would say if tiger was at the top of his game.

tiger: "i'll show them how to fancy their chances!"

[Willie]

Tiger plays big at Ryder Cup: "Yeah, I saw what he said. Yeah, it pissed me off. Did it inspire me? You bet."

Tiger plays poorly at Ryder Cup: "Rory's comments? Nah, didn't even see 'em. Heard something about it, but didn't pay it any attention."

[Wisconsin Reader]

This is what passes for trash talking in our sport. Rory did not mention Tiger's mom nor indicate the Euros were going to protect their house. I see that as a nice thing.

[OWGR Fan]

Interesting and generally harmless comments from a young man that has less career professional wins than Ben Curtis.

[Roar-y]

dsl:

Your indignation is pretty funny.

How is Rory not being humble? He's simply calling it how it is. Tiger is playing like shit and is far from a champion Ryder/Pres Cupper even when he is on form.

Unless you meant it would be Tiger learning some humility, God knows he needs some much more than McIlroy does.

[thusgone]

i'm an american and imo, rory is the most exciting player in golf right now.

his comments are truthful, if not particularly wise. the "fancy his chances" line is almost a paraphrase of ames's comment about "where he's hitting it," and we all know how that turned out.

all that said, who wouldn't love to see these two guys slugging it out head-to-head, each playing as well as he can? i know i would. and if that blessed event should come to pass i'll be rooting for mcilroy.

[Oliver Chettle]

It seems obvious to me that Pavin should not pick Woods, so it is useful that a European player is increasing the pressure for Woods to play.

[pasaplayer]

"Each playing as well as he can", or as well as he could?

[dsl]

Roar-y:

I just think it's silly to even make a comment like that about any other potential competitor, especially Tiger. A humble (young) man would take the chance to remind everyone that you don't kick a man while he's down - at least not in the media. You kick his ass on the course and let your game (and maybe some fist pumps) do the talking.

You give some pat answers to the writers and then you go behind closed doors and ask Monty to let you handle the man. Then - and here's the best part - you actually bloody follow through on what you said you'd do. You don't pull a Poulter and get distracted by your freakin pants after you let your big mouth flap in the wind.

I also firmly believe that, on their best day, young Rory couldn't hold a candle to Woods. But, that's extremely subjective and not really something I'm interested in debating because we'll probably never agree.

[Phil]

Good golf equipment would help his comeback.

[RM]

"in their best day, young Rory couldn't hold a candle to Woods."

I'm not sure I'd buy into that. Tiger's best is no better than a lot of other players' best, it's just that he plays closer to his best more often and his worst is nowhere near as bad as other players' worst. (talking pre-accident of course!) Perhaps Tiger's intimidation factor would play a role, but I think that's long gone any way. I seem to remember Tiger getting whooped by Michael Campbell and Angel Cabrerra in majors well before Y.E. Yang got all the credit for it, and at the height of his "intimidation" days. But still, both at the top of their games and in their right minds, I'd take Tiger in match play against Rory...and any other golfer who has ever played the game.

[thusgone]

@pasaplayer: i meant each playing at the top of his game. so, not second round open rory vs. post-blue velvet tiger, but rather first round open rory vs 2000 us open tiger (or 1997 masters tiger).

that would be a match for the ages, and i think i'd probably pick tiger to win it just on experience and toughness. but i'd still root for the irishman.

[pasaplayer]

Understood and fully agreed. "Blue velvet Tiger". Excellent. Is that yours?

[thusgone]

i think the blue velvet line is from miss priss! referring to the mea culpa press conference at tour hq.

[dsl]

RM - I think if Tiger were at his best the intimidation factor would return very quickly.

I know there's a lot of hyperbole out there, but let's not forget how many times it's been said that Tiger is the 'only person' who can hit certain shots at certain times. If his best is no better than a lot of players, then I'm afraid I've wasted the last 15 years or so watching this guy. I might as well have rooted for FIGJAM. Damn...

[pc]

The gentleman that says tiger's best is not much better then the other golfers on tour needs his eyes checked and his head examined. Did he watch the 2000 U.S. open which tiger won by 15 strokes. Let's be honest, tiger's personal life has altered his focus on the golf course. Anyone that's lived a little can certainly understand that.