{"id":11751,"date":"2026-09-11T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T09:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fogolf.com\/pros\/11751\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T09:30:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T09:30:12","slug":"masters-legend-hits-out-at-rory-mcilroy-and-accuses-him-of-saying-strange-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fogolf.com\/pros\/11751\/","title":{"rendered":"Masters legend hits out at Rory McIlroy and accuses him of saying \u2018strange things\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rory McIlroy has admitted that he is to be selective over the events he will play as he balances family time.\"Rory<\/p>\n

rory McIlory has left Gary Player shocked by his comments. (Image: Brian Lawless\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

Golf legend Gary Player had said he is \u2018shocked\u2019 by comments made by Rory McIlroy over his enthusiasm for the game. The Northern Irishman has taken part in just 14 events this year, defending his Masters\u2019 title.<\/p>\n

He completed the career Grand Slam last year when he lifted the title for the first time. It means he became just the sixth player, and the first European to complete the feat.<\/p>\n

McIlroy has now admitted that he is becoming increasingly selective of the events he plays with. He is instead looking to find more of a balance and spend more time with his wife and daughter.<\/p>\n

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But it\u2019s something that Player doesn\u2019t understand, with the 90-year-old, believing that the success should only increase his motivation to win more.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the Golf Supply, Player said: \u201cI hear Rory with the best swing in the world saying, \u2018Now I\u2019ve won the Grand Slam, I don\u2019t have the same desire to play a lot.\u2019 Man, he should be saying, \u2018I want to win another Grand Slam\u2019. I\u2019m shocked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then he says, \u2018I don\u2019t believe in hitting a lot of balls\u2019. Well, that\u2019s c***. If you hit a lot of balls, you build up determination, and it makes you work harder, makes your muscles better. He comes out with very strange things.\u201d<\/p>\n

McIlroy finished tied fourth in the Tour Championship, five behind winner Scottie Scheffler.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the tournament, McIlroy admitted: \u201cI think once you start to lose your enthusiasm to go to the course, it’s time to take a break.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve turned up to events that I haven’t necessarily wanted to be there because I feel like I should be there, and I’ve never \u2014 like I never play my \u2014 like if I’m going to show up to a tournament, I want to perform at my best and play my best, and there’s been times when I haven’t done that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rory<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy is currently competing in the Irish Open. (Image: Brian Lawless\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cIt’s frustrating to me, but it’s also at the same time like no one wants to see me just go through the motions and be out there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like \u2014 like this is my third week in a row. I rarely do that anymore. I feel like that’s my limit, like if I had to tee it up again next week \u2014 like when the playoffs used to be four events instead of three, that to me is tough.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the last time I played four in a row might have been in 2024, and in the fourth week, I was like I’m done. I’m never doing this again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain, I’m 37. I’ve been at this, this is my 18th or 19th year as a pro. Maybe my fuse is a little shorter than it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

The six-time major champion is currently in Irish Open action. As it stands, he is tied in 16th position, four behind leader Joaquin Niemann.<\/p>\n

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