Congressional Diary

GOLF: A US Open Miscellany

Rory gets the Bear facts: Handy man in your corner

IF Rory McIlroy wanted to kill some time before he teed off in the final round he could do worse than look at Jack Nicklaus’ website. “I like his moxie – I suppose that is the right word. I like the way he carries himself,” said the 18-time Major winner of Northern Ireland’s young star.

“We had lunch during the Honda Classic last year. We sat for about an hour and half and we talked about his game, the things to do and how to finish golf tournaments. We talked about the things I did when I was playing. He was worried about that he couldn’t finish and couldn’t win. I said not to worry about it.

“Instead of shooting 36 or 37 the last nine holes one day you’ll shoot 32 or 33 and win. Keep playing; keep your nose to the grindstone. You don’t have to try to push something to happen. One day it will just happen, if you keep working at it and trying. Just believe in yourself, play within yourself, understand yourself, understand what you can do, and do what you can do. That was the basic message.

“And when he won at Charlotte I dropped him a note and said that I told you it would happen – but 62, that’s ridiculous. That is really making it happen!”

Mutual respect: Nadal gripped by McIlroy's talent

RAFAEL Nadal usually has neither the time nor the inclination to hero-worship a sporting idol but he bends his own rules when it comes to Rory McIlroy. Defending Wimbledon champion Nadal has been gripped by the young Northern Irishman’s scintillating golf at this year’s Masters and US Open.

There are undoubted parallels between the pair: their emergence as teenage prodigies, their unshakeable effervescence and modesty under the glare of worldwide attention, and their capacity to shape the future of their respective sports.

Nadal is 25, McIlroy just turned 22, and while one has 10 grand slams and the other is setting out on a path likely to lead to greatness, there is enormous mutual respect.

When they met at Flushing Meadows during last year’s tennis US Open, McIlroy described Nadal as “a great role model for me”, and the pair made a tentative date to play St Andrews.

Nadal has watched on in awe as McIlroy broke records at the US Open, and said yesterday: “What he’s been doing is really something unbelievable. I met him in New York last year. I love golf. I follow the tour almost every week. Seriously, I love watching Rory.”