US Open Champ's Twitter Spat
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Rory McIlroy blew an early lead Thursday at the Irish Open in Killarney, Ireland double-bogeying the 18th hole and then took out his disappointment on a commentator and telling him to shut up.
After an underwhelming opening round of 70, McIlroy issued an admonishing salvo at American analyst and former pro Jay Townsend.
“Shut up, you’re a commentator and a failed golfer. Your opinion means nothing!” tweeted McIlroy, the 22-year-old reigning U.S. Open champion.
Townsend, a former European Tour player was providing analysis for Irish broadcasters RTE, had been criticising play throughout the day: “He plays silly, several times already today.”
On twitter, Townsend continued: “McIlroy’s course management was shocking. He should hire Stevie Williams,” referring to the newly available former caddie of Tiger Woods.
After McIlory’s riposte, Townsend said he stood by his criticisms of the world No4 and of his caddy JP Fitzgerald.
Former European Tour pro John McHenry supported Townsend’s comments believing analysts should say “when a guy is making a mess of his round.”
McHenry added that McIlroy’s final nine holes displayed “very, very loose shots, some of which were unforced errors….There were really a lot of poor decisions.”
Of the three star Ulstermen, Darren Clarke, the newly-minted British Open champion, had the best round with an opening 69.
Meanwhile, last year’s U.S. Open Winner Graeme McDowell floundered to a one-over-par 72 and complained of tightness in the lower back.
Jeev Milkha Singh of India leads on the opening day with a career-best 63 to lead by two shots at 8 under.
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