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A common complaint and topic of conversation amongst the British is the
weather. And it certainly was for pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy,
who blamed the wet conditions at Royal St George’s in south east
England for his modest showing at the British Open.
The rain came down in a deluge on Saturday’s third round and McIlroy saw his chances wash away with it, as he made a mediocre 74.
“I'm
not a fan of tournaments when the outcome is predicted so much by the
weather," the 22-year-old Ulsterman said."There's no point in changing
your game for one week a year. That's the [British] Open. You either
deal with the weather or just wait for a year when it's nice."
He
had been odds-on to take the title here, won by compatriot and mentor
Darren Clarke, due to his incredible performance at this year’s Open at
Congressional Country Club outside Washington.
That Major was
played out in balmy sunshine, whereas the sleet and rain that fell over
Royal St George’s links, south east of London was just barmy, and
conditions couldn’t have been more different.
By contrast another 22-year-old golfer revelled in the severe weather at the British open.
Californian
Rickie Fowler, who grew up with all the sunshine that McIlroy could
wish for, had no issue with the tournament. The Oklahoma State product
finished tied for fifth the best placing of his career in a major.
Fowler
said: "I love playing links golf because I'm able to show a little bit
of my game and hit some shots around the course that I don't get to hit
in the States a whole lot."
Despite being brought up playing on
the links in Northern Ireland, where wind and rain are no rarity,
McIlroy is keen to get back to the warmer climes of the country that was
the setting for the greatest triumph so far in his fledgling career.
"I'm
looking forward to getting back to America and some nice conditions,"
he said. "I'd rather play when it's 80 degrees and sunny and not much
wind."
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