NEWS

McIlroy outdrives top junior golfers

By John Boyette
Published on

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. -- One by one, the young hotshots tried their hand at outdriving the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world.

But Rory McIlroy withstood the challenges from Davis Riley and Norman Xiong, and he laughed along with the crowd as their attempts failed to reach his 300-yard blasts.

McIlroy was a surprise guest at Nike Night on Friday evening at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. The top junior golfers in the world were treated to a 45-minute clinic and question-and-answer session with the Nike ambassador and four-time major champion.

McIlroy hit a couple of dozen shots and showed his prowess with a variety of clubs, hitting "Bubba (Watson) fades" and stingers. With NBC and Golf Channel commentator Mark Rolfing serving as moderator, McIlroy told the audience how he starts every year by writing down a handful of goals on the back of the boarding pass of his first flight.

"I think it's hugely important," he said of setting goals. "It's become one of the most important things I do."

McIlroy didn't achieve one of his most important goals for 2015 as he finished fourth at the Masters Tournament. A win would have given him the career Grand Slam, but he still had his best finish in Augusta.

"I still have a long way to go," McIlroy said.

The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland has achieved No. 1 status thanks in large part to his driving prowess. That was his top tip to the aspiring golfers.

"Hit it as hard as you can," McIlroy said. "When you learn to hit it far, you can rein it in."

Jack Parrott, of Columbia, one of the teens playing this week, said the clinic was "priceless."

"It was fun. I learned a lot of good stuff from him," Parrott said. "He's a great player and I idolize him a lot, all he's done for the game and all he's accomplished.

"I've never been to any clinic. I wish I got to see him hit a few more shots, but the stuff he got to tell us was pretty priceless."

As the clinic neared the end, Riley and Xiong were the brave souls who dared try to match McIlroy's length.

Even though they failed -- Riley snap hooked one of his shots and Xiong hit a big hook -- they got a kick out of the experience.

McIlroy said it was "pretty cool" for him to be in a position to give advice to the juniors.

"What they should really appreciate is the opportunity to be able to come here and be able to play at places like this. Because when I was a junior, I didn't get to come to play at places like this," McIlroy said. "It's pretty cool and a cool event and I'm glad to be able to come here and show my face and maybe get a few of them excited."

This article was written by John Boyette from The Augusta Chronicle, Ga. and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.