All is fair in love and golf? Rory McIlroy might not be seeking out advice on his golf game or love life, but he is getting both from veteran PGA Tour member, Gary Player. As McIlroy continues to struggle throughout the season, everyone appears to have an opinion on how he can improve his golf game. Player insists that his relationship could be playing a big part in his career.
Player did not hold back when it came to discussing McIlroy's recent decline in major play.
"I love Rory McIlroy, he's got talent like you can't believe but I was quite perturbed when I saw him win the US Open and then the next tournament that he played was one month later," Player said. "You can't do that. What he should have done was take a week off after winning the US Open to settle down and then play two tournaments and then the Open. You've got to prepare properly."
While noting that McIlroy is not allowed to dictate the schedule of his golf play, he also stressed that the young player needs to find "the right wife" in order to really be successful in his career. McIlroy is currently dating tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
"Now the thing is for a man like Rory with talent galore, he's got to make sure he has a woman like I've got, who has been married (to me) for 56 years, that has only encouraged me to do well and made all the sacrifices. ... He's got to find the right wife, and beauty is not the answer. He's got to be able to be intelligent to find the right wife. If he finds the right wife, if he practices, if he's dedicated - a lot of if's - he could be the man," Player said.
So, does Wozniacki not fit that bill? If McIlroy was winning every tournament, would Player sing a different tune and claim he is playing well because of his relationship? On second thought, why does Player care if McIlroy is struggling? These kind of quotes have been said about every major athlete that gets into a high-profile relationship. Player needs to not forget that while dating Wozniacki, McIlroy has four top 10 finishes this year. Not too shabby.