What’s next for Rory McIlroy? This golf NBA champion has an idea

Flourtown, Pennsylvania – Rory McIlroy said he plans to “send” it everywhere at Philadelphia Cricket Club at the Truist Championships.

So on Thursday, I set out to see if Golden Age golf courses can hit the beaten up with a generation of drivers with modern technology.

McIlroy hit his drive on par on par 4 for 333 yards. On the second hole (381 yard 4), McIlroy blew up the 373 yard driver.

“Wow,” the voice behind me laughed, McIlroy slipped towards his ball on his way to a relaxed birdie.

It’s Kyle Lowry, a 19-year-old NBA veteran and 2019 Toronto Raptors champion. Lowry is a member of Philadelphia cricket and certified Golf Sicko (he played among professionals this week).

Like many golf fans, Lowry was stuck on TV last month as McIlroy fought the Devils in the Augusta National’s No. 9 roller coaster guard, ending up with an Exorcist, Green Jacket and a Pro Grand Slam.

“I think it’s just spiritual perseverance,” Laurie said to McIlroy’s victory. “He put the work in. He made a few mistakes. But he wanted to know the process of keeping the game, keeping the process, and then keep working hard. I’m sure he wanted easy wins, but when things got tough, he stayed in that moment. He didn’t let his game, his mind, his mind do anything, and didn’t let it go.

“You put your work, you put your energy, you took your time. The timing has to be right. The timing has to be right. For Rory, I think it’s the perfect timing.”

Although McIlroy’s masters win resonated with many people, Short is the list of athletes who have walked similar paths in the highest sport. Only a few people scratched and grabbed the top of the mountain that seemed impossible to climb and wondered what would happen next.

Laurie is one of them.

The former Villanova Wildcat, 39, was a staple for the Toronto Raptors in the mid-2010s, and continually holds LeBron James’ NBA title. Lowry and the Raptors have been in the playoffs for three consecutive years, becoming one of the top seeds in 51 or more games or more. Every year, James and the Cleveland Cavaliers bounce them unceremoniously.

So, year after year, McIlroy stands out (at times painful) in the Masters, and Lowry can be associated with McIlroy’s heartbrokenness in the way other golf fans do.

Feeling like you have all the tools you need to achieve your lifelong dream, but keep coming up (due to your own mistakes or the cold shoulder of your destiny), it’s all about those who have rare talents and those who can match their infinite work ethics and resilience.

“He has another chance,” Laurie said of McIlroy. “In LeBron James, I happened to lose to one of the greatest players of all time. [McIlroy] There is a chance to take advantage of it, and when we have the chance to take advantage of it, we take advantage of it. That’s what happened. He took advantage of it. Just like us. ”

Whether it was his 2011 master collapse, his public defeat in 2022 or a back-to-back heartbreak at Los Angeles Country Club and Pinehurst 2, McIlroy has been climbing back to the field at the Big Championship. Full of hope and faith, his time will come, and he never gives up. That’s Lowry’s recognition of quality. The psychological wiring required to endure heartache and torture is only at risk of being damaged again, which is not common. But McIlroy owns it. So is Lowry.

“We are different,” Laurie said with a smile. “Some people will say we’re a little crazy or a little bit locomotivebut that’s us. We want to be the best in our field and continue to work hard. That’s what we love. Whatever failure looks like, our enthusiasm is there to go on over and over there. Just keep going. ”

When McIlroy’s final putt fell on the Masters Sunday, he kneeled down, as if his legs were tired, and carrying such a burden, finally giving in. As he leaves the 18th Green, you can almost see the weight he carries for 14 years that makes him disappear.

McIlroy said after this: “It’s all relief.” “There is not much joy in this reaction. It’s all relieved.

“I’ve been here for 17 years, and that’s my emotions for more than ten years.”

When James finally left the Eastern Conference before the 2018-19 season, Lowry and new teammate Kawhi Leonard swept the road and entered the NBA finals, where they faced the dynasty Golden State Warriors. Lowry beat Larry O’Brien’s trophy in six games, with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson injured. When Steph Curry’s last game at the end of Game 6 fell into Lowry’s hand, his arm stretched out from the midfield as all his past playoff defeats melted.

“It’s the best high you’ve ever had,” Laurie said of that moment. “That’s everything you do, and there’s more.”

McIlroy arrived at Philadelphia Cricket Club in hopes of winning another autograph event, but in the PGA Championship next week at the Quail Hollow Club outside Charlotte. McIlroy admits that his major drought is over next week and his career grand slam is completed, and he will be “less” next week.

But thinking McIlroy will see other victories or honors because gravy above the Hall of Fame career would be a mistake.

Lowry knew the buzz of winning was short-lived. For the best, it is important that it happens next. For Lowry, the release of McIlroy will be more dangerous than the predators who arrived at Augusta National in early April. Climbing the summit is not enough. There is always another peak.

“No, no, no,” Laurie said. “He wants it again. Once. Yes, you have everything you want, but why not keep getting better? You’ve tried. Just because you’ve made it once, you want to feel high again.

Two hours later, McIlroy joined the microphone after his first round of 66 and was asked about his opinion that our golf media should talk about his major drought next week.

“Hopefully in two weeks, you talk about me being a six-time champion, not a five-time main champion,” he said.

Rory McIlroy climbed again.