Something Rory McIlroy said to Tim Rosaforte makes me think that if anyone will break Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 Majors, it’ll be the young man from Ireland:
I’ve never thought of breaking any records. I said when I won my first one, I wanted to win a second. And now that I’ve won a second, I want to win my third. I’ve got no targets, no records. I’ve never been that kind of person. I just want to and play my golf and try to win tournaments. If they add up to whatever number it is at the end of my career, I’ll be happy.
McIlory’s attitude is the complete opposite of Tiger, and I think much healthier. If Rory actually feels that way, he’s under much less internal pressure.
Throughout his career, Tiger has stated quite vocally that his goal is to top Jack. In doing so, he has allowed himself to be defined by someone else’s accomplishments. And as the moment of his raison d’être approaches, the pressure mounts. I shudder to think what’s going on in his head as one unwon major after another passes.
I’ve also often wondered what will happen to Woods when he does win number nineteen. I can’t help but think of Alexander, who wept because there were no more worlds to conquer—and who perhaps not coincidentally, died a relatively young man.
Joe DiMaggio didn’t set out to get a hit in 56 straight games. It just worked out that way. Nicklaus didn’t set out to win eighteen majors, but to win as many as he could. Sam Snead set his mind to winning as often as possible.
I think Rory’s attitude is the correct one. Now we’ll just have to see if he’s got the talent over the long run like Tiger.
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Indeed Rory’s attitude is perfect.
Let Tiger deal with all the pressure of breaking Jack’s record.
However if Rory get’s to say 10 Majors, the media will be all over him. We’ll see if he can block it out and stick to this attitude.
On this very topic, I wonder if Rory or Tiger have their own number of majors in mind. In a way I think aiming for breaking Jack’s record is limiting.
Why not aim for 22 if you’re those guys? The heck with Jack, focus on being your best!
I love Rory’s attitude which is why he’s fast becoming one of my favourite golfers. He just goes out there and enjoys himself and tries to win every tournament he enters.
It’s impossible to predict how many he will win because it’s such a long way away. Rory has said before that he doesn’t want to play professional golf past the age of 40.
He get criticized unfairly I think for having too much fun off the course and not enough time into his golf. But if this is what it takes for him to have a successful career and great life off the golf course than he should keep doing it.