Rory McIlory, with 16 strokes under par, also devours the 96th Pga Championship and puts the second major of the year on the bulletin board after the Open Championship. This boy from Holywood, Northern Ireland, with his face still like a pinocchio, yesterday he proved that he has grown up. He is an adult golfer, capable of overcoming difficulties and winning, as he did in Valhalla, in the last few holes, in a close confrontation with his opponents, all number ones, champions like Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler. He is great because at 25 he has already won 4 Grand Slam tournaments, he is number one in the world, number one in Fedex and in the Race to Dubai.
The road to reach the Olympus of this sport, where sacred monsters like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods sit, is still long, but Rory has already covered a good stretch of it, especially in recent months. Suffice it to say that since May he has won two majors, a WGC and the most important race of the European Tour, the BMW Championship. This would be enough for him to remain in history, but the impression is that his hunger for victories is not exhausted. Rory, the cannibal, this season, can still make a feast of prizes, ahead of the Playoffs and the final series of the Race to Dubai and from now on he is the man to beat.
It is certainly fortunate that golf has found such a strong champion right now that Tiger is once again in crisis, physically and psychologically. It must be said that Woods also fought like a gladiator in Valhalla, but he didn't make it. The champion explained that in this moment his large back muscles are not able to support the speed of his arms and hands, the ascent of the stick is shorter than he would like, everything is uncoordinated and every time he is looking for the rhythm .
“I did my best – admits Tiger – I couldn't do more”. He is certainly right, but there are also missed putts and so it is obvious that after so much bad play even Woods now has a trust problem. Unfortunately, his season ends with the missed cut to the PGA and Tiger will be discussed again in 2015, if these months will be useful for him to regain himself. It's a sad moment though, because Rory is great, but Tiger remains Tiger, a unique champion, capable of emotionally involving, rejoicing and cursing, offering himself to the cameras with all his flaws and virtues and the public wants him on the pitch.
Finally, two notes on Italians. The Molinari brothers are always excellent. Both have entered the world circuit of top players. It's really a satisfaction for the fans, who obviously dream, one time or another, of seeing them on the podium at these big events as well. Their placements were excellent: 47th Edoardo, with 283 total shots; Francesco is 59th with 284. Appointment now at the Italian Open in Turin from 28 to 31 August.
