“You’re kidding me!” Nick Faldo calls out Rory McIlroy for entertaining ‘weird’ interview at The Masters

Nick Faldo says he was stunned by Rory McIlroy’s attitude in last year’s Masters tournament as he chose to indulge in a walk-and-talk interview during game.

“You’re kidding me!” Nick Faldo calls out Rory McIlroy for entertaining ‘weird’ interview at The Masters

Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy [Image Credit: Imago]

Sir Nick Faldo has some strict words for the World No.2 Rory McIlroy ahead of The Masters 2024. Recalling, last year’s Masters walk-and-talk interview, Faldo bluntly stated how ridiculous it looked out on the greens. He was baffled seeing McIlroy allowing such behaviors and even indulging in answering during an important week.

He said the Irish man needs to give “100 per cent concentration” to the game instead of letting his mind drift away. Furthermore, McIlroy has yet to win any green jacket which makes this event all the more important for the golfer. 

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McIlroy has never won at Augusta, although he has added U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and British Open to his prized career awards. This year, he’s all ready to give it his all to get a career grand slam win in 2024. However, according to Faldo, he has yet to live up to his dreams.

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I didn’t like it. I thought, ‘You’re kidding me! The Masters?’ Sure, do that any other week. But why the Masters?
Nick Faldo as per Jack Otway of GBNews.

He talked about the most attractive thing the event offers, i.e., peace. No reporters or media are allowed within the ropes. There’s only the player and his caddie which makes it perfect for concentrating on the game and keeping the noises aside. He further added, 

I don’t think that there’s anyone who would say, ‘I think we should have a chat with a golfer in the middle of the Masters.
Nick Faldo as per Jack Otway of GBNews.

Nick Faldo found it “weird” that McIlroy spoke with the interviewer. He “disagreed” with his method and noted that players should entertain fans in Masters and other majors with their performance not with their walk-and-talk.

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Although Nick Faldo disagreed with Rory McIlroy’s past Masters attitude, he give credit to the golfer where it’s due. He wholeheartedly agreed with the Irish golfer’s decision and said he made the right choice if McIlroy wished to pursue Masters glory.

Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy [Image Credit: Imago]
Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy [Image Credit: Imago]

He added that an athlete can indulge in various forms of work after retiring from their sport, but while they are still in the game, they should focus on wins and maintain their competitive mind. Faldo says it “was my attitude” too, during my era. 

You have a window as an athlete, don’t you? Just look after yourself as an athlete. You’ve got tons of time once you’ve stopped playing your sport to go and do all your other stuff.
Nick Faldo as per Jack Otway of GBNews.

According to Faldo, focusing on other stuff while brimming with competitive energy will only be “hurting your golf”. There won’t be any quality improvement. Needless to say, Rory McIlroy’s performance in the past few tournaments has been far from stellar.

Although he won 2nd place at the Dubai Invitational and won the Dubai Desert Classic, he failed to show his consistent performance in The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He got 19th place, not a good look for the former World No.1. Faldo believes, McIlroy got “at least 10 years I would say of being supersonically fit.”

He has to show his overpowering talent within the time limit, or Faldo believes age will be a worrying matter. Currently, The Masters has delayed their start time due to bad weather. This year the field is filled with players from both the PGA and LIV sides. It’ll be a match worth seeing who will come top as the green jacket winner.

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