The “New” Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy’s performance at The PLAYERS this past weekend was as impressive as any professional golfer I have seen in recent memory. But it wasn’t his play on the course that left the deepest impression, it was his performance behind the microphone that impacted me the most. This is a young man that has grown and matured in so many ways both on and off the course.

To say his “non-playing” week was better than his playing week may strike some as odd after all Rory took on the best field in golf on a course that eats up players and won with an amazing display of golf. But it was his demeanor, confidence and self-awareness that enabled him to complete his win and end a streak of near misses.

On the course Rory held tough after a shaky start with an early double bogey on the fourth hole but there was no anxiety or self-doubt that seeped into his now solid mindset. As dominant as Rory has been at times he has had more than his share of melt downs and self inflicted disasters and his 2011 Masters debacle will follow him until he claims a green jacket (he has to be the favorite now).

He did follow up that Masters mistake by winning the U.S. Open that season and now has four majors, 15 PGA and 13 European Tour wins but at the same time has displayed some on course theatrics that looked more adolescent than professional. But the Rory we have seen this golfing season appears to be a different man.

The pressure and expectations that Rory faced early in his career were great indeed. Christened the “Celtic Tiger” by the Irish press as he came on tour he did little to dispel the expectations with his winning four majors in three seasons. But a young man growing up in a fish bowl in the social media age has to deal with so much. Rory struggled with the pressure and attention at times and maybe made a few mistakes. But who doesn’t wish they could go back to their twenties and change a few stupid things we did?

Rory acknowledges to growing both on and off the course, “It’s, I think, maturity…not letting golf define who I am as a person, trying to keep the two things very separate.” Oh, the advantage of hindsight and perspective.

And that is what has changed about Rory McIlroy now, his perspective. A few years of maturity, experience and just living his life has broadened his view of his world and himself. When you are in your early twenties and full of piss and vinegar you think you’re bulletproof and nothing can stop you.

His demeanor between the ropes is now more quiet self confidence than brash bravado and his play is no less intimidating. “I feel like I’ve managed the first six weeks or six tournaments of the year very well, even with some noise around me, whether it is he can’t close, he can’t play on Sundays, blah, blah, blah,” McIlroy said. “I’ve just got to do my thing, and if I go and I concentrate on me, control what I can do, good golf and good attitude takes care of the rest.”

He attributes his new attitude to the belief that he personally will not be defined by results on the course. “One thing I used to do in the past is I’d let what I shot that day influence who I was or my mood,” he said, “It’s something I’ve worked hard on because who I am as a person isn’t who I am as a golfer.”

He held a one shot lead as he stood on the final tee at The PLAYERS, a bear of a hole with the outcome on the line. As the analysts ranted about his decision to hit driver at such a critical time Rory was steadfast and confident, “Any time I have a tough tee shot, I stand up, I pick my target, and I swing as hard as I can.” And he absolutely nailed a perfect drive and followed it with a perfect approach to win a very competitive PLAYERS Championship and announce to the world that he’s a new Rory, with a new perspective and ready for more.

“Of course I desperately wanted the win today,” Rory said, “but it’s just another day. It’s just another step in the journey. My career is hopefully going to last another 15 or 20 years, so one tournament or one day or one month in those 20 years is nothing. It’s just a glimpse. So it doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change who I am. It looks great on my resume. I’m very happy about that. It’s another step in the right direction. But that’s all it is to me.”

‘Just another day’ he says. Another day of dominant golf. Another day of winning championships. Another day in a Hall of Fame career. Another day of being number one in the world. Another day of being a good son. Another day of being a good husband. Another day of being a good person.

Just another day of being the “new” Rory McIlroy.