McIlroy recalls the rush of the Walker Cup
Great Britian and Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, right, follows his putt on the 14th green as Rickie Fowler of the USA looks on during the final day of the 2007 Walker Cup.
The first tee of any international competition is nerve-wracking. There's large crowds and the emotions associated with wearing one's flag. Throw in the youth of most Walker Cup participants and it makes for a downright volatile mixture brewing in players' stomachs. For proof, consider this story from Rory McIlroy, who faced Dustin Johnson in the first foursomes match at the 2007 Walker Cup. A juiced-up Johnson hit the opening tee shot before the announcer finished calling his name.
Said McIlroy, “He must have had a bit of adrenaline as well because he hit it about 400 yards. I stepped up and I didn't realize how far he had hit it, and I hit mine and I hit it really good. I was playing in front of a home crowd and I was feeling it. I was pumped up. I hit mine maybe 320, and I get up there and was 60 yards behind him. I was like, hmm, this could be a long day."
By Golfweek Magazine in Golfweek Special Editions
12 pages, published 8 SEP 2011
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