The world No 1 has been undergoing a resurgence since missing the cut at his home Open and feels adversity has helped his game
Rory McIlroy turned responses to personal adversity into an art form long ago. His Masters capitulation of 2011 was followed up by winning the US Open. A courtroom appearance against his former management and the high-profile cancellation of a wedding preceded the hitting of professional heights.
McIlroy was at it again last autumn. Five weeks after missing the cut at the Open – and not any Open – he took delivery of the FedEx Cup and its $10m bounty.
Related: Rory McIlroy moves above Brooks Koepka in return to world No 1
I messaged Tiger after the Masters. Anytime I win a tournament, he is the first to text me
If we played 100-round events I would win every time, but it’s about putting four together
Related: Golf’s hiatus offers reminder of what the Open was before money talked | Ewan Murray
