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Jul 20th, 2017
Rory McIlroy on the charge at Birkdale
As odds drop from 1/150 to 7/1
Words: GolfPunk Photography: Getty Images
McIlroy was 150/1 following the opening six hole meltdown but all that has changed now.
JP Fitzgerald reminded Rory Mcilroy exactly who he was as he aimed to get Open Championship back on track. They were strong words from the caddie but they appear to have completely changed Mcilroy’s demeanour at Royal Birkdale.
Mcilroy’s meltdown started early into his opening round. Five over par by the first six holes prompted his caddie to step in and remind Mcilroy exactly who he is.
"You're Rory McIlroy, what the f*** are you doing?" Fitzgerald exclaimed. It was certainly enough to prompt the stabilising of Rory’s sinking ship.
After a fightback that saw Mcilroy finish the day on one over par, he was thankful for Fitzgerald’s intervention.
A resurgent Mcilroy later said: “He’s never afraid to do it. I feel today it helped a lot more than at other times because I needed something. It wasn’t that I could look within myself. I was trying to. But JP kept me positive out there, so that was very much appreciated.”
Perhaps it was the talking to that he needed. After six holes his odds to win the Claret Jug tumbled to 150/1.
The blustery conditions in Southport have certainly played into Mcilroy’s hands. For most, it has been a day where walking off the course in par would be a great achievement. However, Mcilroy thrives in conditions like this. He has since surged up the leaderboard.
Following his three consecutive missed cuts, perhaps he needed reminding who he was. We also needed reminding ourselves as Mcilroy is always best when the chips are down. The former champion currently stands at 7/1 to hold the Claret Jug on Sunday.
Don’t forget, there is still time to get your £10 bet insurance with GentingBet. Might be worth taking a punt on him.
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