GOLF: US TOUR TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP:IAN POULTER was not surprised by Rory McIlroy's ability to bounce straight back from his Masters nightmare and secure the US Open.
Poulter, now in Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, said of the runaway US Open champion: “Look at his first rounds in majors. It was a case of when, not if.
“He’s as good a ball-striker as I’ve ever seen, he swings it naturally – there’s not much technically he needs to worry about.”
While McIlroy won by eight at Congressional, Poulter missed the halfway cut, but the world number 14 is the second highest-ranked player in this week’s field behind Bubba Watson.
Also playing are Pádraig Harrington, Scot Brian Davis and Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who was simply in awe of McIlroy’s ball-striking.
“He hit 62 of 72 greens at the US Open,” said the 2006 winner. “There’s no way I could ever do that.
“Not too many people can do that, especially after The Masters when everyone probably would have given him the year off. Two months later he was playing like it never happened – amazing.
“He’s just clearly better than anyone else. There’s so few really class ball-strikers out here – I know that sounds silly, but real class ball-strikers like Nick Price and Greg Norman.
“Greg Norman in the mid-80s is who he is. He just completely outplays everyone with no fear.
“Some people are being aggressive and they’re just cavalier. He’s not cavalier.”
Jim Furyk hopes to play himself back into form ahead of the British Open rather than return to the drawing board in practice.
The American appears in Cromwell, Connecticut this week eager to continue playing competitively during a spell in which he would ordinarily combine fine-tuning with time off ahead of a major.
Furyk missed the cut at the US Open last week and believes playing is key to recovering his game.
“When we are not playing well, you have to keep playing. You can’t go home and practice and get better. You need tournament conditions,” said the 41-year-old
“I feel this is the best event for my game and the best event already not in my schedule.”
THE LOWDOWN:
Course:TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut
Length:6,844 yards. Par: 70.
Prizemoney:€4.165 million (€750,000 for the winner)
Field:156.
Defending champion:Bubba Watson
First played:1984
On TV:Sky Sports.
Weather:Showers overnight and scattered thunderstorms for first three three days, clearing for Sunday. No wind
