Rosie: Chandler "Shocked" As Rory Cans Chubby In Airport Lounge

Tim Rosaforte talks to Chubby Chandler after the game's most prominent 10-percenter was dropped by the game's most marketable star. Besides revealing how McIlroy fired Chandler (Kennedy Airport will never be the same for Chubby), he reveals that Chandler was caught off guard by the decision.

Chandler could accept that ISM's rise in prominence could have led to the separation, and that his fame -- especially the talk of a "Chubby Slam" - could have been a contributing factor. But he strongly denied ever parceling his clients, unless it involved one of his up-and-coming players. "We never did that," he said. "We never ever did that. Never did that with one tournament of any description. It would never be fair on any of them, that."

This still leaves Chandler with major champions Darren Clarke, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, the world's No. 2-ranked player in Lee Westwood and no hard feelings. He doesn't believe Ridge "chased" McIlroy, but wouldn't be surprised if McDowell was a major influence in Rory's decision. The Northern Irishman left Chandler before winning Pebble Beach in 2010 saying he wanted more personal attention.

"We live in too small a world in an industry where you can't have grudges," Chandler said. "You can't be childish about it. I'm surprised, but I'm old enough to know this happens. At the end of the day, I thought we did a good job. Obviously he didn't."

Comments

[Del the Funk]

In the Yocum interview from Sept. 2011 Chubby said he didn't think the players compared notes on their various deals. He can't possibly believe that statement. Chubber's credibility is going the way of Fred Couples...

[alr]

Question to the gallery: is Chubby a bit of an arse?

I ask because I don't know but wonder if that is the case...having only seen tidbits of interviews on GC, etc.

Thanks.

[Average Golfer]

Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.

[chico]

Chubby is no arse-he is a good guy.
Known him for nearly 40 years-would trust him with my wallett.house etc etc.
McIlroy no doubt thinks there is a better way for him to go-he may be right-but Chubb will have been good for him so far.

[Del the Funk]

How is it possible that Chubber ran up a USD4.4 million debt to his own company?

He burned through all the cash of ISM and had to take a loan?

A loan from his best clients?

Why?

No other lending options?

Why did they lie about the sale?

Gambling debts?

No reputable bank will go near a situation like that...

[PA PLAYA]

Not really surprised. I'm guessing that there's more to the story than we'll ever know, but if I had to guess - Rory opting to play more golf in the states really didn't seem to be the direction that Chubby was expecting him to go.

[elf]

Yawn, Rory is now 22 and feeling like he wants to take control and do things his own way. He has an ego, and wants feel like the big man in the stable, not like his agent and other clients are getting to much attention. Chubby has his own way of doing things, and he also has a big ego, as well as other clients. This stuff, it happens when you have lots of big egos involved.

[hhmorant]

I hear that a particularly successful college player (US citizen) may be joining Chubby after graduation

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Yeah, Del. But there is always BoA!

[Del the Funk]

Ky, they'd be the last bank to make the loan! I'm jammed up right now but later I'll dig up a pretty incredible story for you about how the banks really are not lending to medium/small businesses right now. Bank mgmt's lead off their conference calls every quarter with stats on how much credit they've extended -- complete and utter BS.