Paul McGinley is a firm believer that the recent controversy surrounding Rory McIlroy's round of golf with President Donald Trump won't help the Ulsterman prepare for the Masters.McIlroy teed it up with Trump two weeks ago in Florida, but faced a strong backlash of criticism for it. He ultimately decided to tweet a lengthy explanation that the round was not a "political statement," and again answered questions about it this week prior to his return to competition at the WGC-Mexico Championship.McGinley captained McIlroy at the 2014 Ryder Cup, and he told the Irish Golf Desk that this could serve as an added distraction at an inopportune time for McIlroy, with the Masters only a few weeks away."I think Rory was caught unawares. A lot of us have been surprised by the reaction being so strongly negative against him," McGinley said. "I'd like to see the fire die down as quickly as possible because I want to see him getting back to getting focused, getting back from his injury, getting some tournaments under his belt and trying to join the only five people in the world that have ever achieved the (career) Grand Slam."He's right on the threshold of that. He doesn't need this noise at this moment in time."McGinley believes other notable golfers have received less criticism for their associations with Trump than has McIlroy, namely Jack Nicklaus - who explained his vote for Trump - and Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, both of whom played golf with Trump after the election."He was in a no-win situation, and that's the problem. When you get asked by the President of the United States to go play a game of golf, it's very hard to say no," McGinley said. "If he hadn't played, he would have been taking a very strong political position, which would have created a lot of furor in the other direction."
McIlroy has no club or ball contract after Nike pulled out of the equipment market last year and continues to experiment. But while McGinley reckons that he's being clever by keeping his options open, mixing and matching clubs and balls, he needs to find his ideal combination before the US Open at Erin Hills in June.
Paul McGinley: Rory McIlroy 'doesn't need the noise' of Trump
Paul McGinley: Trump noise could affect Rory McIlroy's history bid 'We're on the threshold of history here. An Irishman is going to join only five people in the history of the game who won the
Paul McGinley believes Rory McIlroy must cut out all the noise
As Masters approaches, McGinley fears for Rory after Trump backlash: "He doesn't need this noise" Majors Brian Keogh March 02, 2017 Rory McIlroy , Donald Trump , WGC-Mexico Championship , The Masters
Paul McGinley: Trump noise could affect Rory McIlroy's
Paul McGinley believes Rory McIlroy must cut out all the noise He doesn't need this noise at this moment in time." Ernie Els came out strongly in favour of Trump as well, and no noise
McGinley On Rory Backlash: "This is not a noise you really
McGinley On Rory Backlash: "This is not a noise you really want to have." March 01, 2017 / Geoff Shackelford Rory McIlroy ably defended himself during his Tuesday press conference in Mexico City , yet seems to be on the ropes concerning his golf round with President Donald Trump .
McGinley fears Trump row may harm McIlroy - The Times
The Irishman pointed out that McIlroy does not need such distractions on the eve of trying to tie up a career grand slam. "He has walked into a storm - of course it's a worry," McGinley told the Mirror. "In preparation for the Masters, this is not a noise you really want to have. It can't help, put it that way.
McGinley: "Rory needs closure on his equipment" - News
McGinley on McIlroy's round with Trump "He's right on the threshold of that, he doesn't need this noise at this time. "The more people talk about it, the more it keeps going and that
"He has walked into a storm" - Paul McGinley discusses
Paul McGinley is concerned the controversy around Rory McIlroy's decision to golf with Donald Trump may affect the player's preparations for The Masters, where he will next month attempt to
'How do you turn down the US President?': McGinley on McIlroy
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As Masters approaches, McGinley fears for Rory after Trump
McGinley just doesn't see it as a run-of-the-mill Major for McIlroy either. Each Masters is a red letter event for the Irish golfer, as he needs to win at Augusta to complete the US Open, PGA
McGinley warns McIlroy ahead of Masters - Golf365.com
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