GOBSMACKED golf fans hailed Rory McIlroy for making walking, talking history with a live TV interview midway through his Masters first-round.
Viewers raved “this is the content we live for” as many pleaded for the Augusta innovation to be extended to other major sporting events.
GettyRory McIlroy shared some of his live-time shot analysis to the delight of viewers[/caption]
McIlroy chatted as he strolled, slightly criticising his drive but confident about his putting, which he justified by pulling out a par four
The Northern Ireland star shared his thoughts as he assessed his efforts and situation, while American ace Max Homa was also interviewed.
Mic’d up McIlroy explained how he “eased off” on his drive as he feared going too long on the ninth hole.
He admitted he “probably pitched probably five or six yards shorter than I wanted”.
The 33-year-old then broke down the line of his upcoming putt and felt confident as he knew the course so well.
And in fact he picked up a par four – on his way to a par-72 round.
Armchair observers were “amazed” with one saying: “Rory McIlroy making Masters history speaking to CBS (and the world) on the green. Incredible insight and TV.”
Another posted: “A huge, huge, huge shoutout to Rory and Max for doing these walk-and-talks…
“It would be very easy to say no, especially when you aren’t playing anywhere close to what you expected, yet you still give us this incredible insight.”
A third argued: “Live interviews during rounds need to be a regular thing! Loved that from Rory.”
And a fourth saluted McIlroy for being the trailblazer – although he expected nothing less.
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He wrote: “More brilliant innovation in golf coverage. No surprise it’s Rory willing to give this a go.”
Short and sweet verdicts included: “Golf needs this innovation” … “this is sick tbf”.. “brilliant” and “class”.
It came as Spaniard Jon Rahm climbed from the depths of despair to the top of the leaderboard with a thrill-a-minute opening round at Augusta.
The world No 3 looked shell-shocked as he four-putted the first green to start the Masters with an ugly double bogey.
But Rahmbo played the remaining seven holes in NINE under par, to match Ryder Cup team-mate Viktor Hovland’s pace-setting 65.
Rahm’s recovery was the talk of the course – until four-time Major champion Brooks Koepka became the third player to surge to seven under par, raising the dreaded prospect of a LIV rebel pulling on the green jacket on Sunday.
Koepka played a practice round with Rory McIlroy earlier this week. But sadly the Grand Slam chasing Ulsterman was unable to join in the scoring spree.
Like Rahm he stumbled to an early double bogey, when he made a total hash of the seventh hole after hitting a wild drive into the trees down the left of the fairway.
Two birdies in the next three holes got him back to level par, and suggested McIlroy could also be on the charge.
But a bogey on 11 put the brakes on. And even though more birdies at 15 and 16 pushed him up to one under, McIlroy then dropped another shot at 17 – and a level par 72 means he has allowed a host of top players to steal a march on him.