RORY IS READY TO WIN AGAIN!

The Inspiration is there - honestly!

Having just watched Rory defeat Tiger for the second year in a row in their second big-money bash at Mission Hills I am going to predict that WeeMac is ready to win again - and soon!

Despite all the negative talk about his 'annus horribilis' of 2013, what with the equipment change and now his current ongoing battle in the Dublin courts with his management company, Rory was looking decidedly chipper as he tootled around for his million dollar bash with his adversarial pal Tiger.

If you get a chance to watch this, especially their back nine, just have a listen to the sound of Rory's ball striking. If you have ever been to watch the top players up close you will be aware, especially if you spend a bit of time watching these guys on the range, the different sound the top players make with their impact on the ball. It is something mere mortals like me can only dream of. Well watch and listen to Rory now with his new driver/ball combination. It is simply a thing of beauty.

His results weren't too bad either, crunching his drives well over 300 yards and more often than not, bang in the centre of the fairway. His approach play too was of stellar proportions generally, although he claims to need to fine tune his wedges a tad. Unfortunately, as of late, he has been prone to throw in the odd stupid 3-putt and he managed to do this on Monday again but I doubt if he would have missed his second putt had it been in tournament play. However, he needs to watch this and is no doubt fully aware of this sometimes cavalier approach.

Talking of cavalier (with no intended reference to Brandel Chamblee!), Tiger's play was of a pretty high standard as well, finishing at 5-under to Rory's 6-under finish, and he was very complimentary about the state of Rory's game and also confident that a win was not far away.

There was one thing about the broadcast that I found completely unbelievable! Here in Spain, I was able to watch it, unedited, on the CANAL+ GOLF channel. The players were both 'miked up' enabling the viewers to enjoy the banter and chat between players and caddies. However, in Tiger's case, the chat and banter was liberally littered with some fairly foul language and, along with his disgusting spitting habit we were regaled with the gutteral build-up to his expectorating throughout the match. No doubt, by the time it reaches SKY or the DVD release it will be suitably cleaned up so as not to offend anyone but come on, wouldn't you think a player in his position could learn to clean his act up a little!

Anyway, back to Rory. Going into the WGC - HSBC Champions tournament in Sheshan it is hard to believe that he is currently lying outside the required 60th spot to reach the final stage in the Race to Dubai and just inconcievable that he might not make it. He still has the option of playing in Turkey should he need to but somehow I don't think that will be necessary.

Remember when Rory was a 'bit off' in 2012 before bouncing back to win his second Major by 8 shots? It would not surprise me in the slightest were he to pull it off again this week. Maybe a tad premature but I'm going to have a few quid on him just in case.


GmacSpain