Reflecting on his whirlwind 48 hours since ascending to top of the Official World Golf Ranking, Rory McIlroy has vowed to make his stay at the top an extended one.
The reigning US Open Champion has been inundated with messages from well-wishers since victory at last week’s Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour saw him become the second youngest player in history, behind Tiger Woods, to reach the game’s summit.
Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of McIlroy’s beloved Manchester United, has contacted the 22 year old to offer his congratulations, along with star striker Wayne Rooney and his team-mate Rio Ferdinand.
From the golfing world Greg Norman has also been in touch, with McIlroy admitting he has been overwhelmed by the support.
He said: “There’s been so many from people from all walks of life and different sports reaching out to me to say well done. So it’s very nice to have so many people watching you and encouraging you and supporting you.
“I got a message from Fergie, from Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, and a few of the United boys. Greg Norman also left me a voicemail and a message, and he said some very complimentary things. So that was very nice of him to reach out. Again, it’s just nice people just to congratulate you and give their words of support and encouragement.”
Victory for Luke Donald would end his reign on Sunday night while a Westwood win could also dethrone him, if McIlroy is worse than third on his own, but having worked so hard to reach the pinnacle – McIlroy has only finished outside the top five once in 12 previous appearances on both sides of the Atlantic – he is determined to prolong his tenure.
McIlroy said: “It’s great to get to into this position, and obviously I’d love to stay here for as long as possible. I just need to concentrate on playing good golf, trying to win tournaments, and if I can do that, then the position I’m in on the World Ranking will hopefully take care of itself. I’ve probably got to work harder than I’ve ever done, because I’m up there to be shot at. But I enjoy being in the limelight, so I’m ready for the challenge.”
What gives McIlroy the confidence of creating a lasting legacy was the manner of his victory last week, having seen Woods set the clubhouse target on ten under par courtesy of a closing round of 62.
McIlroy’s short game, which perhaps used to be his Achilles heel, held up under intense pressure to seal his fifth professional victory by two strokes, and the Ulsterman has now targeted a maiden WGC title at this week’s US$8.5million event.
He said: “To do it on Sunday with Tiger making the charge, it was almost more satisfying that way, knowing that I held up under pretty intense pressure when I needed to. Having to play some smart and solid golf on the way in to finish off was very satisfying.
“Closing out tournaments and knowing what you need to do at the right time, that all comes with experience. And I feel like I’ve had a lot of experiences where I could have won tournaments but I haven’t, and the way to improve is to take what you need from those close finishes and try to do something a little bit better next time.
“What saved me on Sunday was my short game and my putting. I made some really key up-and-downs when I needed to and held a couple of really crucial putts, and that was the difference from maybe 18 months ago. Hopefully I can put myself into contention on Sunday night and finish the job off again.”
Westwood, meanwhile, is hopeful of marking his 40th appearance in a World Golf Championship event with victory of his own this week.
The World Number Three, who will partner McIlroy and Donald in the marquee group on the first two days, is the first player in European Tour history to reach the milestone.
By his own admission Westwood’s record at Doral Golf Resort and Spa is moderate, with a tie for 18th place last year his best effort in five previous visits to the ‘Blue Monster’ in Miami, Florida.
But after a morale-boosting closing round of 63 at last week’s Honda Classic, sparked by a putting lesson from his coaches Phil Kenyon and Pete Cowen, Westwood feels the pieces are starting to fall into place.
He said: “I played lovely the first three days and lovely the last day, but the first three days I didn't hole any putts, but I took a few chances on the Sunday. I had something click with me on Saturday night on the putting green with Phil and Pete, and I started rolling the ball on the line that I was picking out.
“It makes a massive difference when you’re putting, when you start seeing the ball start on the line you’ve selected. That, in turn, breeds confidence, and I started rolling the ball at the hole faster and more putts had a good chance. Some of the best putts I hit on Sunday were ones that missed – I just struck them so pure and well that they went through the break. But at least they were running at the hole for a change, so that gives me a lot of confidence to take into this week.”
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