Yes please Rory

Rory McIlroy completes his 27th PGA Tour victory at Pebble Beach

It’s fascinating how easily the combination of inclement weather, a quirky course, and a smattering of media royalty can derail the most finely-chiseled PGA Tour pro off their game.

Last week at Torrey Pines, players were asked to bomb, gouge, and putt on bumpy poa annua greens. Pebble Beach is a polar opposite—I’d like to say the scheduling was inspired, but that’s giving too much credit! The bumpy greens remained; everything else was double-dutch to a large percentage of the field.

The modern player travels with his launch monitor like Charlie Brown carried his blanket in the 1965 TV movie “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Brown told Lucy Van Pelt that it was a “security and happiness blanket” that children carry when they are tired or discouraged—sound familiar?

Now, to be clear, every tour player has a launch monitor close by. The technology is essential to mastering one of golf’s primary goals: having your approach shots finish either pin-high or slightly above or below depending on the green’s slopes. It’s also beneficial if they know how far they carry their bazookas in relation to sand and water—the pros call this the cover number. At best, mine pushes the mid-200’s, the lithe and muscular, with impeccable timing, stretch out into the mid-300’s. We shouldn’t despair; instead, just get better, so improve our smash-factor efficiency. Most of this is said with a hint of satire—but then you know that.

Nick Dunlap, already a two-time tour winner and 2024 PGA Tour rookie of the year, said of his launch monitor, “It’s basically my statistical security blanket, the helicopter parent every tour pro needs. I have four Foresight Sports GCQuad’s; one I travel with, a back up, one at home for practice, and one quarantined in a nuclear-free bunker—location undisclosed.” Dunlap finished T58 at five-under. Saturday, with the field scoring average at (71.56)—Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry both shot 65—Dunlap managed 72. Wind, rain, and cold play havoc with the GCQuad algorithm!

The AT&T is a widely recognised tour stop. The surroundings really are surreal, with elegant cypress trees, an ocean presence, a course that meanders along land’s edge, and real estate to dream about. And, generally, the golf matches the canvas.

There was also the added bonus of no NFL action to steal eyeballs, allowing the PGA Tour to bask in the delights of its temporary surroundings. The NFL bye-week had me questioning its purpose, and when I polled locals, their unanimous response was a dismissive "because it's always been like that."

That familiar refrain—"because it's always been like that"—echoed my recent experience at a Connecticut HOA meeting, where challenges to longstanding rules were dismissed with the same tired logic. Some things seem to persist simply because that's how they've always been done, like the NFL's bye-week tradition. I'm all-in on the Eagles. Fuck the Swifties!

So, to Rory.

When Rory McIlroy gets rolling and banks the opportunities he creates with his overwhelming length and touch around the greens, he makes golf look too easy. His daughter said it best, “Daddy, why you taking a plane to Las Vegas to have someone tell you how to play? You’re really good at it, just stay here and hang out.” The four-time major champion played ‘really good’ golf to win the AT&T at Pebble Beach when he shot a Sunday 66 to win by two for his 27th PGA title.

The final group was a European Ryder Cup trinity with Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry keeping McIlroy company. Lowry loitered for a time while Straka seemed distracted by the Irish craic, or he needs some rest to count his early-season loot.

McIlroy birdied 10 and 12, before landing a telling blow on 14, which he eagled, using: bazooka, seven-iron, and putter, reducing one of the last bastions of three-shot par-fives to pitch-and-putt status. From there in it was plain sailing.

Interestingly, after birding 18, Lowry finished solo second. Justin Rose and Lucas Glover tied for third at 18 under par—McIlroy weighs in at 35, Lowry 37, Rose 44, and Uncle Glover 45. Not a whippersnapper in sight, except for Tom Kim, who plays like he has to carry his own bag! That’s pace-of-play.

Nevertheless, 2025 shapes up as the year of Rory. It’s an early call, but one not founded in blind faith. Three of the four major sites suit his game—I’m told— and the sooner he relegates his optimism for a first Masters victory, the better the year will be. Maybe his daughter tells him to stay home in April!