Rory McIlroy expressed his discontent with the PGA Tour course in Connecticut, labeling it as “obsolete.” He believed that the low scoring at the Travelers Championship only strengthened the argument for implementing restrictions on the distance the pros can launch the ball. Despite finishing in a tie for seventh place, McIlroy felt dissatisfied with the birdie-fest tournament, which saw Keegan Bradley win with a score of 23 under par. McIlroy attributed the lack of challenge to technological advancements and supported the plans of the R&A and US Golf Association to limit the golf ball’s performance.
McIlroy acknowledged that his opinion on ball restrictions was not widely shared among his peers. However, he believed that such limitations would make it easier to identify the best players, especially in an era of parity. McIlroy criticized the current state of the game, stating that it had become too focused on power and lacked a well-rounded approach. He welcomed the prospect of a more balanced playing field with reduced driving distances, even though he knew it was an unpopular stance in the locker room.
Rory McIlroy hit this drive 382 yards. 😳pic.twitter.com/DMxMaseCJX
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) June 15, 2023
By finishing in the top ranks at the Travelers Championship, McIlroy secured a substantial prize of over £500,000. This achievement also propelled him into third place on the all-time PGA Tour earnings list, surpassing Dustin Johnson. While surpassing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the top may be a challenging feat, McIlroy, who is only 34 years old, sees the opportunity to achieve it, especially with the increasing prize funds influenced by Saudi Arabian investments.
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