Tom Watson tips Rory McIlroy to get the links effect

13 April 2012

Tom Watson today backed Rory McIlroy to overcome his dislike of links golf after being blown away at Royal St George's last week.

McIlroy was criticised for not adapting his shots to account for the wind at The Open, where he finished 12 strokes behind compatriot and eventual winner, Darren Clarke.

The Ulsterman, who went into the tournament as the favourite after winning the US Open by eight strokes, complained he was "looking forward to getting back to America and getting back into some nice conditions."

McIlroy insisted he would not change his style of play for one week of the year but Watson, who won five Open titles, believes the 22-year-old will learn to cope better with costal courses and empathises with his struggles.

"He sounded like I did when I was his age playing links golf," said the 61-year-old. "I did not like links golf. I did not like the bounce, the firmness of the greens and the wind. I didn't like the uncertainty. I'm an American player, I was used to shots going where I planned and stopping where I wanted. In links golf that doesn't happen and you have to learn to deal with that, that's what links golf is all about.

"I have empathy for Rory. He will change, though. He will understand the difficulties and the way you have to manage yourself. He grew up around links courses but the conditions were tough at St George's. When you are not on your game, those conditions expose your weaknesses. There aren't many links courses in the world but the Open is played on one every year.

"It took me four Opens to get used to the courses over here, it just so happens that I won two of them."

While McIlroy struggled at The Open, Watson found his form as he finished a shot better than the man 39 years his junior at tied 22nd. It is no surprise, then, that the American goes into the first round of the Senior Open today at Walton Heath as one of the favourites in a field of golfing greats.

And Watson puts the form he has found in the twilight of his career down to rediscovering the technique he used when he was most successful.

"As golfers, we're always trying to make adjustments, to our putting, chipping, everything if things aren't going right," he said. "I've tinkered the whole of my career but recently I've refound the stroke I was using all those years ago when I was winning Majors. It was a real confidence booster to find that.

"I hope this form isn't just a blip on the radar, I hope it stays around for a long time. Age is but a number. I've had some great memories from this game so far but I'm hoping to make more."

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has sacked his caddie Steve Williams. The former world No1 is yet to find a replacement for a man who he has worked with since 1999. Williams had remained fiercely loyal to Woods during a tumultuous period for the 35-year-old, which included revelations of extra-marital affairs in 2009, and was surprised at being dismissed.

"This came as a shock," he wrote on his website. "Given the circumstances of the past 18 months, working through Tiger's scandal, I am very disappointed to end our successful partnership."

The Senior Open Championship takes place until Sunday. Tickets are £25 at the gate and parking is free.

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Tom Watson tips Rory McIlroy to get the links effect

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