Rory McIlroy was furious while talking about Tiger Woods’ “invitation” during a phone call with Phil Mickelson.
Rory McIlroy was previously criticized for implying that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were nine years into their Hall of Fame golf careers.
Ten years later, the 34-year-old admitted he was on the “10th green or 11th tee” during his prolific play on the PGA Tour. “A few years ago, I said that Phil and Tiger were at the lowest point in their careers, and I got a lot of flak for that.”
McIlroy retired in his first start at the Signan Classic in Palm Beach since 2018.
“So I think I turned pro in 2007, although I don’t know if I wanted to be. “So, this will be my 17th year?” In another 17 years, I’ll be 51. Yeah. I think we’re about to change direction at this point, if not a little further down the road. Probably the 10th green or 11th tee.
Preparation for Masters takes place through Florida Swing, national PGA favorite McIlroy addresses his remarks
He competed in the 2014 Tour Championship, during which time the rising star appeared to leave two legends on high.
“They’re just getting older. Phil is 43 years old, or whatever he really is…and Tiger is almost 40.
There they hit the last hole of their career, and this happens…
Obviously, this becomes more difficult with age. I’ll be able to tell you what it looks like in 20 years.
McIlroy defended his comments on his Twitter that night with simple math.
“The average golfer’s career is 20-25 years, but two of those years have been the last nine years…
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. ”
By 2014, Tiger and Phil had been playing on the PGA Tour for nearly 20 years. And while Woods, 48, and Mickelson, 53, have another big win (Woods at the 2019 Masters, Phil at the 2021 PGA Championship)
It’s been a long time since odds have been consistent on the game’s biggest stage.
McIlroy was a precocious 24-year-old who won four major titles while earning praise from two legends. He’s now a withered rubber stamp…a four-time major champion.
The world number two still has possession of the ball, but he knows time is running out before the inevitable twilight. “Just because I didn’t win a major doesn’t mean I can sit here and say the last 10 seasons haven’t been successful,” said the 24-tour winner.
“But at the same time, I think at the end of the day, I’m going to get a lot of recognition in these tournaments. I hope that.”
McIlroy admitted that maintaining the desire to compete for the next 17 years “seems impossible” but that another decade of quality improvement is “absolutely” a realistic goal. “Yeah, yeah. Or put on your green jacket and go with that.”
