Might Rory McIroy be a flash in the pan?

On the eve of the American PGA, Our Holywood hero is “refreshingly honest”, according to the Guardian. But maybe with just a touch of sour grapes added?

McIlroy, whose honesty in public is one of his most endearing qualities, said: “I’m just happy to be part of that group of 16. I think the reason it is like this, fields are much deeper. Partly because the guys have just got better and have worked hard; they are putting more into the game physically, mentally, practice, technical, everything.

“But I think one of the big things is the technology. I think 25 years ago you had the really good players that could play with basically anything and nowadays the technology lets maybe some of the lesser players catch up with the better players. And I think that’s why you see so many more guys winning these days.”

McIlroy insists he has been more irked at not featuring near the summit of major leaderboards since winning last year’s US Open than his failure to swiftly claim a second win in one of golf’s biggest events. “I’ve hopefully got 25 more years to try and win major championships.”

The Mail Online is sceptical about McIlroy’s opinion that the secret of success lies in how to play the grass planted on the Atlantic course of Kiawah Island near Charleston South Carolina.

Paspalum is used on links courses in America because it is heat and salt resistant. It reacts by grabbing at the ball like Velcro and so the requirement is totally different from links golf in Britain..

At the same time..

Biblical amounts of rain have made this course soft and long. With more stormy weather predicted, don’t be surprised if there are suspensions of play. That ought to play into McIlroy’s hands

Different grass, similar weather. Take your pick in the often thankless task of sporting speculation…  Still, it’s good to see that the press is still on Rory’s side.

Good luck kid!