RORY McILROY happened to cross paths with his ex-fiancee Caroline Wozniacki during his second round at Augusta last month.
The awkward-sounding moment occurred just prior to the four-time major winner hitting his tee shot on the second hole.
In happier times prior to their split in 2015
McIlroy looks on on Thursday from Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina
Having struggled on day one, he continued to play miles off his best and wound up missing the cut when even a severely hobbled Tiger Woods was able to make it.
By all accounts, former tennis world number one Wozniacki was only close by him for that one particular shot.
She is known to be a golf fan and was enjoying the occasion as a whole by rambling around the entirety of the historic course.
McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty was reportedly seen looking surprised as she walked past them.
The Masters remains the lone major that has eluded McIlroy with his collapse while leading by four shots on the Sunday of the 2011 edition going down in infamy as one of the great golfing choke jobs.
The hope for fans ahead of this year’s tournament had been that he was a better player than ever having ironed out his tendency to be inconsistent – particularly during first rounds.
2022 saw him record a brilliant year as he notched three wins as well as topping the FedEx Cup and DP World Tour rankings – which was a career first over a single year.
He was also in the mix at all four majors, most notably The Open, and had by far and away the lowest cumulative score of anyone across the four signature competitions.
It all meant his latest Masters no-show was among the hardest to take with the 34-year-old taking a three-week break afterwards in order to rest and recharge.
This week has seen him get back on the horse/course at the Wells Fargo Championship.
IN THE ROUGH TIME
And addressing the media for the first time since Augusta, he acknowledged he badly needed that break out of the spotlight.
He said: “I needed a break for me. It was just more for my mental and emotional well-being.
“I just needed to be at home for those few weeks.”
He added: “Obviously, after the disappointment of Augusta, and it’s been a pretty taxing 12 months mentally, it was nice to try to disconnect a little bit and get away from it.
“For me, it was a nice re-set, because I still had to realise that there are three more Majors this year.
“It’s nice to come back and feel refreshed. I think I’m in a better headspace than I was. So I’m excited to get going this week.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the average golfer shoot?
An average golfer will shoot between 80 and 85 yards with their driver.
Can I make money playing golf?
Absolutely! Professional golfers have many income streams. You could teach lessons, sell merchandise, host tournaments or even participate in celebrity events.
What is the average score for a weekend player?
For beginners, the average score is about 100. As you get better at golf, your scores improve. You’ll probably start out playing 9 holes and work up to 18.
What can I do to improve my golf game?
For improving your game, practicing is crucial. Even if your time and resources are limited, you can still improve. Keep in mind that you should always strive to practice what you have set out to do. This means if you wish to play faster, then you should focus on playing fast. You should focus on hitting the target farther if you want to hit the shot faster.
Do you find watching golf helps improve your game.
It does indeed improve my game.
Golf is a very popular sport. This sport involves striking a ball towards a target at different distances using sticks, clubs, and so on. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time outdoors and relax. Did you know there are so many benefits to playing golf? These are just a few of the many benefits that golf can bring to your life.
- Golf helps you get fit
- Playing golf makes you feel good
- Playing does not require that you think too hard
- Golf is a game that teaches patience
- Golf is an inspiration.
- Golf is great fun
- It’s easy to learn golf
- Golf is more expensive than other sporting activities
- Golf is an excellent stress reliever
- Golf is a social game
How do I lower my handicap by 5 strokes on the golf course?
You must first improve your swing mechanics. You probably know how to hold the club correctly, but if you don’t feel comfortable swinging the club properly, you won’t get the proper feedback from your body. Once you have mastered this step you will want to work on increasing your strength and flexibility. Start off slowly, working up to longer distances. As you improve your scores, you will notice a more consistent game.
Statistics
- If you have 14 attempts and convert as little as 50% of them into Pars – you can double bogey the remaining 4 holes and still shoot 87 for your round. (golfmadesimple.com)
- According to Shot Scope’s database of more than 30 million shots, 80% of missed greens are missed short. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- Trackman found that over 65% of amateur’s golf shots finish short of the target from 160 yards. (golfinsideruk.com)
- By adding 10 more yards to all their golf shots amateurs will increase the percentage of greens they hit by 8 – 10%. (golfinsideruk.com)
External Links
shotscope.com
nicklaus.com
collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu
golfdigest.com
How To
Which golf clubs are best to keep in your bag?
When choosing golf clubs, the most important thing to consider is your level of play. If you’re looking to play golf at least once a week or every weekend then you probably want to choose from one of the higher end models. If you are only going out for a few times a week, you might consider buying a set mid-range clubs. It really comes down to how much money and how often your plan to play.
A good set of woods is essential for anyone who hits a lot. These woods are extremely popular due to their accuracy and range. You’ll find that these types of clubs are usually made out of stainless steel or titanium which makes them very durable. Make sure you have the correct head size when you buy any type wood club. A smaller head can give you less forgiveness, but a larger head allows you to hit more shots.
Also, a good putter will be a necessity. This will be something that you’ll use during practice sessions, tournaments, and other situations. Here are two main options. A blade style putter is one option, while a mallet type putter is another. Blade style putters are more intuitive and allow you the ability to feel the ball approaching your face before hitting it. Mallet style putters are more forgiving and they require a little bit more skill to master.
There are many styles of irons that you can choose from. There are many types of iron sets today. Some prefer to own a full set of Irons while others are more comfortable with just their fairway Woods and Hybrids. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you try out several different brands before making a final decision.
As far as wedges go, you’ll want a wedge that fits your swing. For example, if you’re left handed then you’ll want an offset wedge whereas if you’re right handed then you’d want a straight through wedge.
You will need to decide whether you are a pull or fade hitter before you can choose a driver. Drivers that weigh more than usual are preferable to pull hitters. They have more power and torque behind their ball. Lighter drivers are preferred by fade hitters. They’re more flexible and they’re able to produce more spin on the ball.
It is always good to have a variety clubs in your bag. You never know what you’ll need to add or change equipment. You can have all your clubs at your disposal.
