SMYLIE KAUFMAN can’t wait to see Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship – after the Northern Irishman turned on the style at the driving range.
Four-time major winner Rory, 35, tees off at the iconic TPC Sawgrass later this week.
GettyRory McIlroy made an unexpected choice with his club selection at Bay Hill[/caption]
GettyThe 35-year-old has impressed fellow pro Smylie Kaufman on the range[/caption]
McIlroy has not won a major since 2014 and struggled at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month.
The 35-year-old made the “mind-boggling” decision to change his clubs for the tournament.
He failed to break 70 once, reverting to his usual setup on Sunday for the final round.
Kaufman was in awe of the 35-year-old’s power after scouting him out on the range at the event.
But the American was baffled by Rory’s decision to switch his clubs – and believes he should have another rethink before the first round in Sawgrass.
Kaufman said: “Rory’s ability to get it on the green faster than everybody else, and further, that’s his strength.
“So he got the new driver that he’s talking about, he goes to a three wood that flies 300 yards.
“He has a five wood that flies 280, and then he has a three iron that he had in the bag that would fly 260 yards.”
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Kaufman continued: “I was watching him hit these three irons and the fairway metals on the range on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“He hit 160 ball speed with a three iron. Just unfathomable how hard he was hitting these clubs.”
Kaufman added it was “a surprise” to see Rory switch back to his old club selection on Sunday.
He said: “That is a huge change when we talk about what is almost a month away – the first major of the season.”
McIlroy won the Players in 2019 and is hoping to end Scottie Scheffler‘s recent dominance in the tournament.
Rory McIlroy’s career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
2009 – reached the world top 50.
2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
Asked if Sawgrass would be a different challenge to Bay Hill last week, Rory said: “I don’t know, it’s just they’re two completely different tests.
“You know, the rough isn’t quite as thick next week.
“It’s going to be quite a lot softer, so, yeah… they’re not super similar, they’re both in Florida, but that’s about it.”
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