Rory McIlroy was quick to dismiss a potential rivalry with Jordan Spieth that everyone in the golf world is pumping up this week.
Rory McIlroy dismisses rivalry with Jordan Spieth
Don’t ask McIlroy who his closest rival is because it changes year to year and he’s not buying all the hype that Spieth is his new foil.
The world No. 1, when asked during Wednesday’s pre-Players Championship press conference what part of Masters champ Jordan Spieth’s game he would most like to have, spoke glowingly about the third member of Thursday and Friday’s marquee grouping.
“I’m excited to play not just with Jordan but, obviously, with Jason Day as well,” said McIlroy, who avoided the question with the aplomb of a seasoned politician.
“I’ve gotten to know Jason quite well over the past number of years. I remember the first time we played together, down in Australia, back in ‘05 at the Australian Masters,” McIlroy added, still not answering the same question Spieth answered directly by saying he would love Rory’s length. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s always nice when you’re part of a group that has a little bit of buzz around it and a good atmosphere.”
And then, as if thinking to himself, said, “And what part of Jordan’s game would I like? I guess his putting.”
The golf world has been puffing up a budding rivalry between McIlroy and Spieth ever since the latter won the Masters last month. The former appeared bored by the entire exercise.
“Not really,” he said about whether the media creating a one-on-one duel where there really isn’t one yet got his juices flowing.
“The talk doesn’t change much ... like last year it was Rickie [Fowler], this year it’s Jordan,” McIlroy said with a shrug. “Might be someone else. Could have been Tiger.
“There’s been four or five rivalries over the past year,” McIlroy concluded, “so it doesn’t really do anything for me.”
Rory, you’re absolutely sure the blood doesn’t run just a tad hotter when you’re playing Spieth now that he’s moved up to No. 2 in the world?
Yep.
“Honestly, I don’t think so,” McIlroy insisted. “I’m pretty much paying attention to myself out there, just sort of trying to get myself around the golf course. Regardless of who I play with, that doesn’t really change.
“I’ll notice it because there’s going to be a bit more buzz around the group, a bit more excitement,” conceded the four-time major champion. “But to me, I’m out there focusing on my game and trying to do the best that I can.”
Next question.
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