Rory tells commentator at Irish Open to 'shut up'
Source: Agencies |
July 30, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RORY McIlroy showed his temperamental side after blowing an early lead on Thursday at the Irish Open, double-bogeying the 18th hole - then insulting a critical commentator and telling him to shut up.
Fresh from his 1-under opening round of 70, McIlroy fired off a riposte to the Twitter account of American analyst and former pro Jay Townsend.
"Shut up. You're a commentator and a failed golfer. Your opinion means nothing!" wrote McIlroy, the 22-year-old prodigy from Northern Ireland. McIlroy's up-and-down performance was the talking point on a day that promised to shine a spotlight on the island's incredible recent run of golfing success.
Outshining the local stars was Jeev Milkha Singh of India, who hit a career-best 63 to lead by two shots at 8 under. Singh hit an eagle and six birdies, the highlight a 20-foot chip uphill into the cup on the 12th.
McIlroy, who fizzled at the British Open two weeks ago, looked early on like the man to beat, making birdies on four of the first 10 holes. Then the accuracy of his drives deserted him, leading to a bogey on the 12th. On the 14th, he struck a nearly impossible shot, hooking a ball around a large oak and on to the green to salvage par, and his magic touch appeared restored. But McIlroy gambling ways produced two mistakes on the 18th. He drove into a bunker, then his attempt to find the green sailed far left into a pond.
Townsend, a former European Tour player providing live coverage for Irish broadcasters RTE, started blasting McIlroy's approach even before the ball hit the water.
"That's why you don't hit it in the bunker. Watch this," he said, pausing for the splash. Noting that other commentators had been describing McIlroy's play as refreshingly loose, Townsend said: "He plays silly, several times already today."
Fresh from his 1-under opening round of 70, McIlroy fired off a riposte to the Twitter account of American analyst and former pro Jay Townsend.
"Shut up. You're a commentator and a failed golfer. Your opinion means nothing!" wrote McIlroy, the 22-year-old prodigy from Northern Ireland. McIlroy's up-and-down performance was the talking point on a day that promised to shine a spotlight on the island's incredible recent run of golfing success.
Outshining the local stars was Jeev Milkha Singh of India, who hit a career-best 63 to lead by two shots at 8 under. Singh hit an eagle and six birdies, the highlight a 20-foot chip uphill into the cup on the 12th.
McIlroy, who fizzled at the British Open two weeks ago, looked early on like the man to beat, making birdies on four of the first 10 holes. Then the accuracy of his drives deserted him, leading to a bogey on the 12th. On the 14th, he struck a nearly impossible shot, hooking a ball around a large oak and on to the green to salvage par, and his magic touch appeared restored. But McIlroy gambling ways produced two mistakes on the 18th. He drove into a bunker, then his attempt to find the green sailed far left into a pond.
Townsend, a former European Tour player providing live coverage for Irish broadcasters RTE, started blasting McIlroy's approach even before the ball hit the water.
"That's why you don't hit it in the bunker. Watch this," he said, pausing for the splash. Noting that other commentators had been describing McIlroy's play as refreshingly loose, Townsend said: "He plays silly, several times already today."
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