Holywood man gets red carpet treatment

PRACTICE DAYS at the US Masters are unlike any others anywhere. On these days, over 50,000 patrons swarm through the gates – many with cameras in hand for snapshots banned at any other time – and, occasionally, you spy them nudging one another as they attempt to decipher the identity of a golfer hidden behind branded clothing and trademark cap atop his head.

If some players can manage to slip under the radar on the first official day of practice, others – the Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelsons and Pádraig Harringtons – have no place to hide, but have grown to accept the brouhaha as part and parcel of who they are and what they have achieved.

Yet, it says much for the impact which Rory McIlroy has made here in the United States that he has already assumed a status normally reserved for those who have contended in majors on the back nine of a Sunday and lived to tell the tale.

This is McIlroy’s first appearance in a major as a professional. It doesn’t seem like that.

Yesterday, for example, the reception afforded him from golf fans segregated behind thin twine ropes as the 19-year-old made the short walk from the rear of the colonial-styled clubhouse to the driving range was akin to that of a Hollywood star walking the red carpet into the Oscars.

The 50-yard walk was made to the accompaniment of a loud chorus of “Rory-Rory-Rory!” And this was only Monday.

McIlroy’s destiny has always included Augusta National. Now, he is here; able to smell the azaleas and suck in the Georgian air and prepare – as he did yesterday with a reconnaissance of the back-nine with former Masters winner Mike Weir – for the big show which gets under way on Thursday.

“I’m excited, it’s a huge thrill. It’s what I’ve always dream of,” he admitted, of his debut appearance in the Masters.

Nervous? Overawed? Not McIlroy. This a teenager beyond his years, who believes confidence is an asset.

“You know, I thought I’d be nervous when I got here. Maybe if I was a little younger, or if I’d played here as an amateur, I would be.

“But I’ve been on tour for a year and a half and I’ll just try to treat it as another golf tournament.

“I’m not one to get overwhelmed by anything. I’ll just go about my business, play my golf and see if it’s good enough.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to be here. But I want to try and get the most out of this week as possible, so you can’t be in awe of anything.”

Indeed, rather than running from expectations of others, McIlroy seems to embrace them. Yesterday, Gary Player – who has decided this will be his last Masters, having made his debut in 1957 – suggested that it was time for the new generation, headed by McIlroy, to “use Tiger (Woods) as a role model” and attempt to beat his record.

As Player put it, “Tiger (winning the career Grand Slam) at 24 is probably the greatest feat that’s ever been accomplished in world sport . . . so Rory must raise the bar. What a beautiful swing. He’s remarkable, and the world is at his feet.”

When asked what he thought of Player’s comments, and the possibility of winning the career Grand Slam by the age of 22, McIlroy replied: “What’s that? One a year?

“I don’t know. I’d have to play extremely well, but obviously it is not out of the realms of possibility.

“But there’s so many great players out here now (on tour), and the depths of the fields are so strong that is is very difficult to win a major championship.

“You have to play extremely well in that week, and you’ve got to have a few lucky bounces here and there if you’re going to pick up a major.”

Yesterday was a time for McIlroy to start learning. Although he started his practice with Englishman Oliver Wilson, former champion Weir teed off alone immediately after them and joined them on the first green.

From then on, McIlroy – who plays a different game to the Canadian, outdriving him by up to 35 yards at times – focused on Weir’s short game, where he played his chip shots from and what parts of the greens he played to.

Often, it meant ignoring the flag placements.

“I was impressed with him. I think he’s got tons of game, and I love his attitude,” remarked Weir afterwards.

But, then, such a careful strategy and ability to learn is what sets McIlroy apart.

He may be 19, but his game and mental aptitude belong to an older, more experience player.

“I realise that I have the talent, but you need to put in the hard work to make the most of it . . . I don’t feel like a 19-year-old. Obviously I am, but I feel like I’ve matured very quickly since coming out on tour.”

He added of his own expectations for this week, “I’ve played well to get here and, now that I’m here, I might as well enjoy it and see how far I can get.

“I’m expecting to play well, and hopefully I’ll be in the mix come the weekend.”

Who knows?

Maybe even that trip to the barbers, put off since last September, could be imminent if the right result comes his way.