It’s not a surprising statement to say that Rory McIlroy is a popular golfer, but watching him up close in the most American event, on American soil, it’s still an eye-opener to see the man from Northern Ireland looking like the biggest draw at the WM Phoenix Open.
Those on the other side of the Atlantic perhaps underestimate at times just how popular the four-time Major champion is in the United States – we’ll never have another Tiger Woods but Rory is right up there in terms of moving the needle, as they put it.
Tiger Woods is back next week of course, so McIlroy will take a back seat once again, but the GOAT is only part-time on the PGA Tour these days, and golf needs a regular stand-out star.
We know he’s a huge name within the game, with players, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and, of course, us in the media, but that’s been taken to another level over the last 12 months as he’s also stood up to become the Tour’s main defender against the advances of LIV Golf.
All the while, McIlroy has been lighting it up on the golf course too, rising to World No.1, but regardless of the rankings all the evidence from TPC Scottsdale points to him being the number one with the fans.
🤩 Followed Rory McIlroy around @WMPhoenixOpen yesterday & it’s incredible how popular he is over hereHuge crowds followed him everywhere, even in an event with all the big names in, he may just be the biggest draw..#WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/FmPEypSrzUFebruary 11, 2023
The WM Phoenix Open is an event like no other with a massive crowd, many of whom have no interest in golf. Most, though, will have heard of Rory McIlroy.
And despite bumper crowds throughout the golf course, following McIlroy is now the big ticket and he took throngs of adoring American public with him in the tournament, which was quite something to behold.
It’s a familiar sight to those that have been to a lot of golf, stood behind the ninth green it was quiet enough, but talk of McIlroy approaching caused a spark of excitement, followed by the arrival of one, two, then three cameras to the back of the putting surface.
The crowd grew, a few asking if they could see McIlroy way back on the tee. Judging by the number of people that had suddenly appeared at the other end of the hole, it was him.
A lovely tee shot fired down the fairway saw the crowd then surging round either side of the hole, looking for the best vantage point for their hero’s second shot. His approach safely found the green…
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