As another bauble fell to Rory McIlroy, one gets the feeling that even in part-holiday mode at St Andrews this weekend he might not be done with his trophy collection for 2014.
The world No 1 appearing quite fresh despite cheerfully admitting he didn’t remember why he was in a blonde wig and mini-kilt in a picture taken during the celebrations of the Ryder Cup victory on Sunday night picked up the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year award, possibly his most certain victory of the year.
And although he’s mostly at St Andrews for the pleasure of playing with dad Gerry, who just happens to be celebrating his 55th birthday on Sunday, Rory’s quite keen to add the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the event that springboarded his professional career in 2007, as well as four other tournaments before his year is done.
Given that this week is a little bit of reconnaissance for next year’s Open Championship, when he will defend the Claret Jug he won at Hoylake in July, it makes sense he’s here after last week’s gruelling activity at Gleneagles.
“The timeline’s kind of fuzzy after midnight,” he admitted of Sunday.
“I remember what happened on the golf course, that’s the most important thing.
“I felt like it was my time. I said it before the Ryder Cup that it was time for me to step up and be one of the leaders of the team, to set an example, and I was happy that I was able to do that on Sunday.
“My record in the Ryder Cup is important to me.
I haven’t been beaten in singles yet, and I think Monty was never beaten in singles in the Ryder Cup, was he that’s something I’d like to emulate.
“At the age of 25, three Ryder Cups and four majors is something I’m very proud of, having done it eight years younger than anyone else. Tom Watson was 33 when he did it, Gene Sarazen was 35.
“Paul (McGinley) has now retired from the Ryder Cup unbeaten, and though I don’t think I’ll be able to emulate that, I’d love to.”
This week is part pleasure, part memorable, but also serious.
“This back in 2007 was a life-changing moment for me, getting an invitation, finishing third and basically earning enough money to get my European Tour card,” he recalled.
“I’ve always been grateful to (tournament owner) Johan Rupert for that and I’ve tried to play as often as I can. You play three of my favourite courses in the world, with my dad and my best friend on the bag.
“I finished third in 2007, second in 2009 and second again in 2011. It’s dad’s 55th birthday on Sunday, so I’d like us to make the team event and have a chance to win the tournament. That would be a bit special.”
Rory is, of course, one of the now-multiple holders of the Old Course record of 62, and he has an eye to next July as well.
“I haven’t been here in a couple of years, and there’s been a few subtle changes, but St Andrews has always been a place I felt comfortable at,” he said.
“I certainly can’t think of a better place to try to defend the Open than here. I always felt like St Andrews would be my best chance to win an Open and although I proved myself wrong this year, it will be great to come and defend it here.”
In the meantime, he plans to solidify what is already a probably insurmountable lead in the Race to Dubai by adding plenty of points here, going to the two events in China next month, before finishing off at the DP World Tour Championship and defending his Australian Open title.
“I’ll still practise hard but the objective is to enjoy the last couple of months of the season. There’s been a lot of intense tournaments, and we’re at the point where I can let it down a
little bit,” he said.