Rory McIlroy Spotted ‘House Hunting’

WHATEVER YOU MAKE OF Rory McIlroy’s Sunday back-nine collapse at Augusta, the Irish lad certainly has a healthy sense of humor about his Masters misadventures. Accompanied by the photograph at right, Rory tweeted this on Sunday:

“Apparently I was spotted house hunting last week..... LOL!!!”

Now that’s funny. Of course, the image documents Rory’s unfolding disaster at the par-4 10th where he eventually walked away with a triple-bogey seven.

The Irish star again had difficulty closing out a win this past weekend at the Malaysia Open.

Leading on Saturday night and facing 27 holes on Sunday due to weather-related delays, Rory was overtaken by Italian phenom Matteo Manassero, who notched his second win in just 25 starts on the European Tour. Manassero closed with a 68 to finish at 16 under and edge Gregory Bourdy by a shot. The Italian teenager will turn 18 on Tuesday.

A three-putt double bogey at the 15th was costly as McIlroy completed his third round one stroke off the lead. Then a fourth-round rally that included three birdies in four holes on the back nine stalled at the 72nd hole when Rory carded a bogey. He shot a 69 and finished alone in third.

“I’m proud of the way I picked up myself from last week,” he remarked to the media.

Today, Rory was en route to his Northern Ireland home for two weeks of R and R.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Visor tip to Mike Walker at Golf.com’s Press Tent.)

(Image: Courtesy of @McIloryRory)

The Collector Edition Golf Folio

WHEREAS THERE ARE ONLY 10 Luxury Edition Golf Folios that will command a minimum of $48,000, artists Paul Skellet and Simon Weitzman have also created a Collector Edition Golf Folio that is within the reach of many golf enthusiasts. Featuring 18 chapters and 320 pages of fine golf art and editorial, the Collector Edition is offered as a limited edition of 2,100.

The Collector Edition is available for the pre-order price of £350/$562. The discounted price ends in July 2011.

Collector Edition Specifications
Limited Edition: 2,100
Signed and numbered by: Artists
Size: 28cm (w) x 33cm (h)
Paper: 170gsm archive art paper
Pages: 320 pages plus a pocket page containing an exclusive, limited edition print only available to owners of the Collector Edition
Binding: Bound in leather and gold blocked
Box: Leather and Silk Slipcase
Extras to order: Personalisation of binding
Published price: £395/$630 USD

As contemporary artists, Weitzman and Skellett have exhibited in London, Scotland, Paris and Tokyo. Their work will appear on the U.S. West Coast later this year. They have backgrounds in TV series direction, commercial direction, animation, leisure brand design and fine art. Credits include BBC, ITV, HBO, Disney, Virgin, Aston Martin and Jools Holland.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Image: Courtesy of Wonderland Publications)

On My Golf Bucket List: Scotland and The Old Course

TODAY I WAS REMINDED OF my golf bucket list when my wife told me that her brother is heading to Ireland this August for a golf trip. A few years ago he went to Scotland. He brought me back a cap from Royal Troon. I still have it. I still long to go.

There are several things I’ve been able to cross off my golf bucket list. I’ve been to many golf tournaments and a handful of majors. In 2008 I finally made it to Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters. I was also fortunate to attend the Ryder Cup at Valhalla in Louisville.

What’s left?

I’ve always wanted to play Pebble Beach, as I mentioned not long ago. I don’t know if or when that will happen at this point. I’m no longer in the West Coast neighborhood and the green fees are five Benjamin Franklins. But here’s a big one: I want to attend The Open Championship. I also want to set foot on the Home of Golf, St. Andrews, the Old Course. It’s on my golf bucket list. I need to get there.

(Photo: The Road Hole at St. Andrews / courtesy of Melvyn Morrow)

I know golf in Scotland is like a pilgrimage. It’s something a golfer should do at least once in a lifetime, if at all possible. I could happily tour all of Scotland’s fabled links if I had enough time and money. But it seems to me that St. Andrews is the destination for those interested in a serious golfing holiday. After all, it’s where this crazy game began.

My dad went to Scotland and St. Andrews in the 1980s. He bought me a cap. As I mentioned, my brother-in-law went a few years ago. He bought me a cap.

I DON’T NEED ANY MORE CAPS.

I need to see the Road Hole with my own eyes. I need to walk across the Swilken Bridge toward the Valley of Sin. I need to hack my way out of one of those insane pot bunkers and play a Miguel Angel Jimenez carom shot. If you have played and watched golf much of your life like l have, then you’re nodding your head. This makes perfect sense to you.

I expect to accomplish this goal.

The Old Course isn’t always love at first sight. The great Bobby Jones was not impressed the first time he saw St. Andrews. Nor was Sam Snead. Scott Hoch called it “the biggest piece of mess I’ve ever seen.” A few years ago, a former tour and club pro told me, “I felt like Bobby Jones the first time he saw it. Thought it was a cow pasture.”

Yet, the Old Course won over Bobby Jones, and Bobby Jones won over the Scots, returning again and again and winning three Claret Jugs.

As for me, I’ll be glad if I can just go once. When I do, maybe I’ll buy someone a cap.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Brought to you by YourGolfTravel.com, the online destination for golf breaks uk.)