Rory McIlroy BLASTS PGA Tour star for kicking away putter in frustration during Valspar Championship

Rory McIlroy claimed that golfers have to set a better example for the fans after a PGA Tour star kicked away his putter in anger last week.

Rory McIlroy BLASTS PGA Tour star for kicking away putter in frustration during Valspar Championship

Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

After skipping the Valspar Championship, Rory McIlroy is gearing up for the Texas Children’s Houston Open. During the press conference, he went on to blast a PGA Tour star for kicking away his putter in frustration during the Valspar Championship event.

The star talked about here is Patton Kizzize. The 39-year-old golfer lost his cool after missing a putt from close range. He would then punt kick his putter in anger.

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The American international later withdrew from the event through an injury. A few days later, he apologized for his actions during this event.

During the Texas Children’s Houston Open press conference, a reporter asked about how a golfer could be more friendly to the media and other players while showing such emotions. While McIlroy understood the frustration of Kizzize, he pointed out that they need to set a “proper example“.

It can be relatable, but at the same time you want to try to set a proper example. You don’t want 10-year-old kids punting their putters across the green every time they miss a putt. At the same time it does, it shows that we are human, it shows the human side to ourselves.

Rory McIlroy said

Kizzize was not the only one who came under fire from the fans last week for losing his cool. Canadian golfer Adam Hadwin found himself in the spotlight after he angrily smashed the greens with his golf club. Unfortunately for him, he set off a water sprinkler on the course, leaving him trying to stop the flow of water.

Rory McIlroy heaps huge praise on Scottie Scheffler ahead of Houston Open

The Texas Children’s Houston Open will see No.1 and No.2 ranked golfers Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy tee off in an attempt to get some more momentum before the Masters Tournament. Ahead of this event, McIlroy heaped huge praise on Scheffler.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler (Image via The Independent)

McIlroy’s win at The Players Championship was his 2nd in the event. This made him the 8th different player and the first after Scheffler to have two wins in this event. Apart from that this was his 2nd win of the year as well.

In his last 25 worldwide starts, the North Irish golfer has 5 wins and 3 runners-up finish. This performances from him has seen his run being compared to Scheffler’s run in 2024. The World No.1 won 9 times in 2024, including the Masters Tournament.

During the Houston Open press conference, McIlroy claimed that Scheffler’s achievements last season are not talked about enough.

I think what Scotty’s done in the last couple of years in golf is amazing. He’s great for the game. What he did last year, I don’t think it’s talked about enough. His season last year is up there with one of the all-time great seasons in the history of the game.

Rory McIlroy said

This will be the first time McIlroy will appear in this event since 2014. In his last appearance 11 years ago, he finished T7.

Meanwhile, Scheffler did participate in this event last year. He agonizingly finished the event 1 shot behind Stephen Jaeger and missed out the chance to win 3 straight PGA Tour events having already won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.

Rory McIlroy makes scouting trip to Augusta National Golf Club ahead of 2025 Masters Tournament

As the 2025 Masters Tournament inches closer, golfers have started to ramp up their preparation for the first major championship of the year. Ahead of this event, Rory McIlroy recently made a scouting trip to the home of this event, the Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

It is no secret that this is the one event that McIlroy wants to win. Having already won the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, this is one event that he needs to win to create history.

A win in this event will not get him the iconic green jacket but will see him become just the 6th player in golf history to hold all-4 major championships. Tiger Woods was the last one who completed this feat.

Going by the momentum, McIlroy is the favorite to win the event this year and finally complete the career grand slam. This week he traveled to the Augusta National in Georgia and completed a full day of scouting before arriving in Houston to play in the Houston Open.

The Masters this year will take place from April 10-13. It will be the 89th edition of this tournament and will feature some of the biggest names of golf competing for the chance to put their hands on the green jacket and earn the title of the Masters champion.