Page 4 - Golf World (February 2020)
P. 4
FROM THE EDITOR
FEBRUARY 2020 / ISSUE 2 / VOL 61
‘TheMcIlroyand beyond doubt he was the world’s premier golfer while
another McIlroy defeat would raise more doubts about
Koepkarivalryhas his ability to play to his very best under the most severe
beenjusttheright pressure. As things turned out, it was McIlroy’s turn to
go low and Koepka’s turn to tread water. McIlroy’s four-
sideof‘spicy’but under-par 66 was the lowest round of the day while
Koepka’s surprising two-over-par 72 dropped him into a
neitherplayerwantstogive tie for fourth. “I wanted some revenge for Memphis,”
aninchpsychologically’ McIlroy admitted just minutes after the event finished.
McIlroy’s victory not only settled a score, it created a
bone fide rivalry between the world’s two best golfers.
Rory McIlroy compiled a lot of great rounds in 2019, Ever since Atlanta, the pair have verbally jousted with
but arguably the most important one came on a late each other. So far, the tit-for-tat comments have been just
September afternoon at East Lake GC in Atlanta. the right side of ‘spicy’ but it’s clear that neither player is
Standing alongside World No.1 Brooks Koepka on the willing to give up the psychological edge in 2020.
first tee in the final round of the Tour Championship, So who comes out on top this year? We address this
not only was the tournament on the line, there was the question and 19 others in our season preview on page 38.
small matter of the season-ending FedEx Cup bonus. We ask what Jon Rahm needs to do to open his major
But for McIlroy, who has long since passed the point account, how Jordan Spieth can stop his slide down the
where $15 million would change his life, money was the world rankings, what the season has in store for Tiger
last thing on his mind. There was something much Woods… and lots, lots more.
more valuable at stake – personal pride. And our first issue of the new year would not be
Just a couple of weeks earlier, McIlroy and Koepka complete without an instruction special. In a 10-page
had found themselves in the exact same head-to-head masterclass, Master PGA pro Luther Blacklock shows
scenario at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in you how to get rid of your power-sapping slice and swap
Tennessee. On that occasion, Koepka steamrollered it for a pro-style draw. So here’s to better golf in 2020.
McIlroy in the final round, shooting 65 to the And thanks for reading Golf World. Enjoy the issue.
Irishman’s 71. Although neither player would openly
admit it, anybody who knows anything about
professional sport will tell you that Koepka had laid
down a marker. The American’s victory was an
emphatic ‘look who’s the boss’ statement. NickWright,Editor
All of which made the re-run in Atlanta compelling nick.jwright@bauermedia.co.uk
viewing. Another Koepka victory would have confirmed @nickjameswright
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