Like a Miss Congeniality sash in the UFC or a 'Most Popular' award at Comic-Con there is no such thing as a 'toughness' award out on the golf course. This even includes the four major championships.
When Rory McIlroy took on a Georgia oak tree's root with a 7-iron you knew it wasn't going to turn out well for the Northern Irishman. (Don't ask how I'm so well versed in the golfer-foliage relationship, I just am.) This was only his 3rd hole in the opening round of the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club, and he finished the 69 remaining holes in gallant fashion.
But that's beside the point. "It was a mistake in judgement," the 22 year old said.
It was a mistake to attempt to hit the shot, and it was an even bigger mistake to try to complete the tournament.
There’s a difference between playing through a sprained ankle in the final game of the NCAA Tournament (Maurice Cleaves); there’s a difference between going for it on fourth and short in the 4th quarter of a seemingly meaningless NFL game to send a message to your team than what Rory did on Thursday, and then into the weekend.
A DNF would be embarrassing in the kindergarten obstacle course, or a game of Scrabble with your younger sister but not after a severe injury at the PGA Championship. Nobody would be disappointed if you err on the side of caution.
McIlroy has too much going for him to be grounded by a root.
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