And if Tiger’s old, what’s that make Phil Mickelson? New star on the block Rory McIlroy knows how to count. (He’d better–he’s earned $7,572,096 so far this year, not counting endorsements.) In a powwow with reporters before today’s Tour Championship, McIlroy said Woods and Mickelson are “getting into the sort of last few holes of their career…it obviously gets harder as you get older.” Neither Mickeslon nor Woods will play those last few holes this weekend–they’re not at the Tour Championship, which is just what McIlroy was addressing. If anyone knows how old Woods is, besides Tiger himself, it’s McIlroy: growing up young Rory had a poster of Tiger on his bedroom wall.
McIlroy took to Twitter to clarify his statements, for the benefit of all those who don’t know how to count. He didn’t think he said anything wrong by pointing out that most of the successful guys on tour are younger than Woods and Mickelson. Those guys both won their first tour events last century–if you need a little data. Of course a young Tiger Woods would use this slight–however innocent–to motivate himself to beat Rory’s behind next time they meet. If he’s not limping.
Golfers on average have a 20-25 year career, both into the back 9 of their careers… Don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying that.
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) September 10, 2014
