Say Padraig, why are you coughing? By winning both this Sunday, Rory McIlroy and Matthew Fitzpatrick somehow rekindled the pain of the crushing defeat suffered by Europe against the USA three weeks ago.
In our notebook of the Ryder Cup, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy had received 2/20 and 5/20 respectively and were in our opinion (and many other “observers”) among the biggest disappointments of Whistling Straits. Three weeks later, the Englishman and the Northern Irishman therefore won a prestigious title, the first in Valderrama on one of the most demanding courses of the season, the second in Las Vegas to claim his 20th title on the PGA Tour. The timing is obviously frustrating for European fans. These two successes lead to several observations …
McIlroy wants to make it easier
Regarding McIlroy, seeing him triumph against a field of extremely tough players, especially on the American side, stirs the knife in the wound of his underperformance in Wisconsion. We hoped he would be the leader in the European colors, he rather looked like a lost soul, especially after his three double defeats. Shaken, Rory had cried all his drunk at the end of this painful week on the sporting level. Once again, the Northern Irishman seemed overtaken by too much emotion. Even though his declaration of love for the Ryder Cup was touching.
Rory McIlroy was in tears after his match on Sunday. He REALLY loves the Ryder Cup.https://t.co/sA6LCZppV6
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 26, 2021
Three weeks later, therefore, he was awarded the PGA Tour for the 20th time, “a great accomplishment”As he said himself, and back in the world top 10 (8th). The champion with the four major titles tried to explain these emotional and golfing roller coasters with frankness, honesty and as often a touch of candor. “I’ve been thinking a lot after the Ryder Cup, I’ve found that I’ve been trying other things lately so that I can be better when in fact, when I’m just myself, that’s enough. ”
“This Ryder Cup has been huge for me, really. Yes, I was very disappointed with the way I played and I thought about it a lot. I think I have to simplify everything around my career, I just have to play golf while being myself. ”
This isn’t the first time Rory has promised to find the key to what keeps him from performing again in big events. We are therefore waiting to see where this new resolution will take him, especially during the next Masters in April and more generally in majors in which his counter has been stuck at 4 wins for 7 years!
In the meantime, his fans are of course happy to see him again well in his golf course. But we would have liked to be able to count on a great McIlroy to challenge the American Armada. See you in Rome, Rory, and especially think about doing singles (and doubles) in Italy …
Fitzpatrick, symbol of a Europe at half mast
The Matthew Fitzpatrick case looks quite different. The discreet Englishman won his 7th European Tour title at the Andalusia Masters in Valderrama. On this very demanding course, performance inspires respect. The Sheffield player rebounded quickly from his failure in blue after a second Ryder Cup in which he emerged “Fanny”. In total Fitz ‘is five games, five losses in two appearances.
Has it really bounced back, or has it benefited from sluggish competition? We can ask ourselves the question.
Jon Rahm out of the shot and tired (cut clearly missed), Fitzpatrick was the logical favorite for the weekend. Because behind the n ° 1 and the 25th world (he was 28th before taking the start), no other player was in the world top 50 in Andalusia.
The third best ranked in the world hierarchy was the Australian Min Woo Lee (66th) who finished… second. The long-awaited succession on the European side therefore did not shine. The Scottish Robert McIntyre? Disappointing (53rd). The Norwegian Nicolai Hojgaard, the Italian Guido Migliozzi, who are announced as possible candidates for selection for Rome? Cut missed. Just like the French n ° 1 Victor Perez.
The victory of Fitzpatrick who is 27 years old is in a way the leader of the young generation of English golf leads to a not very reassuring observation: the young players from the European tour are slow to emerge and the “depth” of this pool of talent from the Old continent is shrinking.
We can even dare to say here that in view of the image that Fitzpatrick gave during his two Ryder Cup appearances – where his attitude resembled that of a young gazelle in the lions’ den – we do not hardly wants to see him put on the European jersey in two years.
And yet, as he is one of the faithful of the European circuit and his level of play allows him to win without producing very great golf, he may well be …
A few words on last week! ???????? pic.twitter.com/Xxw0iUNWI7
— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) September 30, 2021
Harrington, coaching absent
The last observation that we will make after this Sunday full of irony for the European camp concerns the coaching of Padraig Harrington. Or rather his lack of coaching. Ultimately, what perhaps McIlroy and Fitzpatrick lacked to play better at Whistling Straits, perhaps, was a charismatic captain. Able to raise his troops, to transcend his players. As usual, Rory put too much pressure on himself and Fitz ‘could not bear the brunt of the event.
A few words from the captain might have helped them. And even without being in the secret of the locker room, it was obvious that communication with his players, especially before the event, was not Paddy’s strong point. Yes, there was a way to do better for Europe. This double-victory weekend sounds like a no-brainer …
