McGinley backs McIlroy to bounce back: "I expect Rory to make a statement by the end of the year"
Paul McGinley for Ballantine's
Paul McGinley does not believe that Rory McIlroy will take kindly to being trampled by Jordan Spieth and Jason Day in the race to the top of the game this season. In fact, the Dubliner expects McIlroy to "make a statement" and storm back to top form in the European Tour's Final Series.
Like McGinley's decision to set up a US base in Florida now that he's doing more work, including TV analysis there, backing McIlroy to pick up the gauntlet that's been thrown down by Spieth and Day makes perfect sense.
Writing in his Captain's Diary for sponsor's Ballantine's, McGinley said:
"This has been Jordan Spieth and Jason Day’s year but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rory has the last word in the Final Series on the European Tour. I kind of expect it. Throughout his career, he has always been really good at reacting to other players’ success. Jordan and Jason having such a great season is only a positive for Rory. Particularly when the heart of his season was taken out with injury.
"I expect Rory to make a statement by the end of the year and certainly he will be chomping at the bit when the Masters comes around next April."
McGinley also touched on the recent Presidents Cup and the possibility if seeing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in a backroom role for the USA at Hazeltine, where he believes Darren Clarke could have four rookies, including British Masters winner Matthew Fitzpatrick.
"If he were to make the Ryder Cup team, it would be a positive for Europe," McGinley said of the 21-year old former US Amateur champion.
