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The small country of Northern Ireland has a population of approximately 1.8 million people. Out of that, a few years ago, a ‘phoenix’ by the name of Rory McIlroy arose to take the sport of golf and the world by storm.
Just nine years into his professional golfing career, McIlroy currently sits near the top of the world rankings, possessing four major championships and numerous other trophies and accolades.
However, I don’t marvel at his current status – rather, I idolise the player and person during his amateur and early professional years.
As a junior golfer, the particular draw was to his free swing and fearless style of play he always presented on the golf course.
One of my earliest memories of McIlroy displaying this fearless style was the miraculous shot he played during the closing stages of the 2008 Hong Kong Open.
Hooking his tee shot left into the trees on the par four 18th hole, McIlroy hit an extraordinary wedge shot out of the trees, over a lake, to land approximately four meters from the flag stick.
Watching that shot on television, I couldn’t fathom how a player could hit a hooked wedge like that. I didn’t understand it, I wouldn’t understand it and I didn’t want to understand it! I love players who take risks and play to win.
Apart from his style, McIlroy displays good character by illuminating a positive attitude filled with honesty in conjunction with respectful values. This was particularly evident during earlier years, showing he was merely a genuine sportsman looking to go on a journey.
After his excellent maiden win on the European Tour at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy said “This win has definitely moved me up a step and I just want to keep getting better and better.”
This is by far my favourite quote from golf. It has the key values of respect and dignity, infused with a blend of confidence and ambition to progress and get better.
In short, the quote sums up what golf is really about – acknowledging success and aiming for a journey to better as a person. This is what all golfers, both professional and amateur need to aim for.
However even more impressive is McIlroy’s ability to continue displaying his good nature and character by being positive and reflective during moments of despair and misfortune. During his 2011 US Masters back nine collapse at Augusta, McIlroy went from leading comfortably to finishing in 15th place.
Dubbed one of the worst collapses in golfing and sporting history, McIlroy displayed his dignity by being open and reflective during post-round interviews.
Instead of closing the world off, he opened up about how he unravelled on the back nine. Not only did the world of golf share his grief, he won the admiration of many. Giving open and honest responses into his performance, showed spectators and competitors alike he was able to take the good with the bad.
Following this collapse, McIlroy claimed the next major on the golfing calendar, the US Open at the Congressional Golf Club.
Mcllroy played scintillating golf to lead wire-to-wire, blowing the field apart in all statistics during the week. Focused on his ambition and dream to win, McIlroy put the devastation of the last major behind him.
Was it the good character? Was it his open and positive reflections? Was it his talent alone? Was it a combination of all the above?
It was one of the most dominant performances in a sporting field that and having a good character would have played some part in an ability to succeed to dominantly.
If there was nominations for a perfect week of golf played, that would be very close.
Three major championships and numerous tournament wins later, it’s not the accolades that impress me, it’s the character within. Whatever path he chooses, McIlroy is always open, honest, reflective and respectful.
Can we really ask any more from our sporting heroes?
As I chase my journey, I will be watching Rory McIlroy throughout his career and win or lose, Rory will still be my first golfing idol.