We make no apologies for bigging up Rory’s chances of completing the career Grand Slam. We do it most years, only this time we’ve got stats and facts to back up our optimism. After all, it was only the brilliance of others – rather than his own shortcomings – which stopped him from winning when it mattered most last season.
He was still the only player to finish inside the top 10 in all four Majors in 2022. Of course, that counts for very little without a win to show for it, but his consistency did help him become only the second man, after Henrik Stenson, to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup in the same calendar year after notching three wins, two seconds and 10 other top 10s.
It would surely have gone down as one of the greatest seasons of all time had he tasted success at The Open or any of the other big four. As it is, there is an asterisk against his name, the kind which has followed him around for longer than we expected.
He was 25 when he won his fourth Major. He’s 33 now and hasn’t added to his tally since. Usually, we’d be lamenting his putting or wedge play, but last year felt different because his all-round game was largely flawless. For the first time ever, he finished inside the top 20 in strokes gained: putting on the PGA Tour, and ranked 22nd for approach shots from 50-125 yards, compared to ranking 164th the season before.
His new-found consistency has taken him back to World No.1 and he says the best is yet to come. It’s a scary proposition for his rivals, who didn’t even come within half a stroke of Rory’s scoring average on either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour in 2022.
Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av Golf Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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VICTORIOUS ASIA AT EFG INTERNATIONAL GOLF CHALLENGE
Junior golfers from Team Asia overcame Team Europe at the second edition of the event that promotes sportsmanship and foster young talent.
CULINARY CROSSROADS
Foodies, it is time to add Macau to your bucket list for both its burgeoning fine dining scene - and vibrant fusion local cuisine.
CYBER TIMES
The Bell & Ross CYBER launches watchmaking into the future.
HERITAGE REIMAGINED
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi reopens its historic heritage wing.
POULTER IMPRESSED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES PATHWAY
Popular English Ryder cup star lan Poulter is confident of Asian Tour's plans for future success.
ASIAN SPIRIT TO THE FORE
The Internationals will look to Maruyama's heroics to propel their Presidents Cup quest.
GLOBAL UNITY
International Team united by the \"Shield\" ahead of Presidents Cup showdown
GIRLS ON FIRE
Representing one's country, either as an amateur or a professional, in a sport you love, is a dream come true. JUSTINE MOSS catches up with the Singapore Golf Association's Women's National Squad to find out more about their dedication to the game.
SOCIAL GOLFER
Popular influencer Christabel Chua (@bellywellyjelly) shares how golf has opened up a whole new world for her.
FAST DOWNHILL CHIP
In this common scenario, your ball has hung up on some longer grass to the side of the green, leaving you a downhill chip on to a fast surface that's running away from you.
