Perhaps the biggest name in recent history will be heading to San Antonio next week when the Valero Texas Open tees it up at TPC San Antonio. Rory McIlroy has decided to commit to the the tournament and is by far the the biggest name to finally come to San Antonio to play. With a schedule spot the week before The Masters, all eyes will be on McIlroy as he makes his first visit to San Antonio.
Larson Segerdahl, the Tournament Director for the Valero Texas Open, claims he has been “working quietly” with Rory and his manager for the chance of McIlroy coming to TPC San Antonio. While that may be the case, frankly Rory needs to put in the work to find his game again.
After signing with Nike earlier this year, Rory has done absolutely nothing. In his first start of 2013 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship he missed the cut shooting two rounds of 75. In his first tournament in the United States, he got bounced early at the WGC Accenture Match Play and then followed that up with a “tooth ache” withdraw at the The Honda Classic. A couple weeks later he had a decent finish at the WGC Cadillac Championship but then chose to skip Bay Hill while all the other top players competed at Arnie’s tournament. Finally in Houston this week, Rory has failed to break 70 and sits nine shots off the lead.
I believe Rory McIlroy chose to play San Antonio to get more competitive rounds under his belt as he heads to Augusta in two weeks. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a big name for Valero Texas Open, but I don’t think it has anything to do with negotiations behind the scenes. I just think Rory knows he needs more work heading into the first major of the season and this is his last opportunity.
To be honest, I am stoked about it. I will be volunteering inside the ropes all four days next week at the Valero Texas Open. Hopefully I will get an up-close look at Rory and really see his swing in real life. It’s surely the biggest name to head to San Antonio in quite some time. I don’t want to discount the likes of Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, Jim Furyk and Padriag Harrington, but let’s be real, Rory McIlroy is a big name for San Antonio!
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