on his leg
“Rest or work, that’s my daily dilemma. It’s a matter of balance. How far should we go to progress, without going too far and going back two or three days? It’s been like that all year. I can play 4, 5, 6, 7 under par as if nothing had happened but in a cart. I like to play, I like competition. Unfortunately, if I can hit all the shots you want, I still have so much trouble walking. »
On the dispute between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour
“I had not imagined that the world of golf would undergo such a radical change as this year. A year ago, I didn’t think we would come to such animosity on both sides. I didn’t like how some LIV players showed their contempt or disrespect for the Tour that helped them get to this point. Some were clearer about their reasons for leaving – namely money – I found others a little distasteful. In their current format, the two circuits cannot coexist. If the prosecution (of LIV against the PGA Tour for breach of antitrust law) are suspended, there may be a favorable outcome. The two parties can meet and find a solution, although I believe that to achieve this, first of all, Greg (Norman, le boss du LIV) to go away. So we can eventually, with a bit of luck, have a reprieve between the two trials (scheduled for February) and find a solution. Then we can all talk freely. »
Sur Rory McIlroy
“What Rory said and did is what leaders do. He is a true leader on the circuit. The fact that he’s able to say what he said in public, be so clear and eloquent, and win golf tournaments on top of that? People have no idea how difficult it is to separate these two things. But he was fantastic. He’s a great leader in the calls we make and he’s a great leader with all the players here. Everyone respects him and not just for his ball-striking, his conduct, but also for the person he is. »
“I don’t have much left in my leg but I also want to give myself a chance to come back…”
On the world ranking
“It’s a bad system. The Dubai field (the DP World Tour Championship won by Jon Rahm) delivered fewer ranking points than the PNC Championship (PGA Tour event) while there were more top players present in Dubai, so obviously there is a problem. It’s been changed in the past and I’m sure it will be changed again, well I hope so. »
On his future
” I like this sport. I have practiced it for almost all my life. I’ve been pro for more than half of my life. Next year the goal is to play only the Majors and maybe one or two more tournaments. That’s all. Physically, that’s all I can do. I also told you at the beginning of the year, I don’t have much left in my leg (who suffered multiple fractures in his horrific car accident in February 2021), but I also want to give myself a chance to come back… This year, I didn’t expect to take part in three Majors. I was only thinking of playing the British Open but I managed to play two more. That was a big positive! So I’m going to prepare for the Majors and hopefully I’ll be in the running for a chance to win. »
