Rory McIlroy is rapidly earning the nickname “The Silent Assassin” in the final round of the majors. For the second Masters running, the Northern Irishman’s playing partner revealed that there was hardly any conversation as McIlroy focused on making more Augusta history.
Last year, Bryson DeChambeau called out McIlroy for ignoring him in the last group, as the world No 2 completed the career grand slam after an 11-year major drought. And although another American in Cameron Young was not critical of McIlroy’s tight-lipped tactic as he became just the fourth player to retain the Masters title, he did concede that the chatter was basically non-existent.
“I don’t think he really wanted to talk to me today,” Young said. “There wasn’t much [talking to each other] to be honest with you. Sunday at the Masters in the final group, you know, you don’t wish anything poorly on the guy, but we’re playing against each other. Not trying to be best friends out there. I don’t like to talk a ton anyway.”
McIlroy, who beat world No 1 Scottie Scheffler by a stroke as he tied Sir Nick Faldo at the top of the modern European major charts, certainly made up for it afterwards, making the crowd laugh and his daughter wince, when explaining what makes the Masters extra special in the trophy presentation.
“This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favourite week of the year,” said McIlroy. “I don’t know if it’s because of the par-three tournament or it’s the all you can eat ice cream in the Player Services building…”