Forward of reflecting on the historic milestone of surpassing Severiano Ballesteros, Rory Mcllory breaks down a turbulent afternoon that started with complete management, veered via expensive stumbles, and ended with a surprising eagle at 18,setting the stage for a playoff and a season-defining achievement.
Q. Earlier than we speak about profitable The Race to Dubai once more, let’s speak about at present and the occasions that unfolded, eagling the final, once more. Inform us about at present out of your perspective?
Yeah, bought off to the proper begin. 3-under via 5, 4-under via seven. Felt like I had kind of taken management of the golf event. Was a pair forward.
Then, yeah, I made two bogeys on the best way in on 12 and 16 and didn’t birdie 14 and 15, the birdie holes. Clearly knew I wanted one thing to occur on the final. I really hit an important shot on 17, ended up a bit brief. Hit an important putt that lipped-out.
On the final, I knew what I needed to do. I hit an important 5-wood. Fortunate to see Rasmus’s putt earlier than mine. His frolicked a bit bit earlier than it began to show, so bought a learn from him. It was a good way to complete, making the playoff.
However sadly hit it within the water there on 18 within the playoff. Simply kind of put me behind the 8-ball. However blissful for Matt. He’s had an important finish of the season. Performed nice to get on the Ryder Cup Workforce, after which he kind of stored it going since, so actually blissful for him as effectively.
Final yr you equaled Severiano Ballesteros’s Race to Dubai titles, and this yr you surpassed him. Inform us the way it feels to surpass his title.
I had a course together with his spouse, Carmen, earlier than I went out to play at present, and he or she informed me how proud he would have been. You understand, I mentioned this on this inexperienced final yr, he means a lot to this tour and to the European Ryder Cup Workforce. We rally a lot round his spirit and his quotes and every part he meant for European golf.
To equal him final yr was cool however to surpass him this yr, yeah, I didn’t get this far in my goals, so it’s very cool.
Now only one behind Colin Montgomerie’s eighth report title. You don’t want it, however how a lot would you like it?
I would like it, after all I do. I caught up with Monty this week when he was right here a pair days in the past and I noticed him. Look, it appears inside touching distance now. I’d like to be the winningest European by way of Order of Deserves and season-long races.
You understand, I’ve in all probability bought just a few extra good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.
