Sports Then and Now

Rory McIlroy was in complete control at the U.S. Open, but his recent tantrum via Twitter suggests that is not always the case for the young star.

US Open champion Rory McIlroy launched a seething reply to criticism of his form by Jay Townsend via social networking site Twitter.

Townsend, a former European Tour player and now a pundit for radio, criticized McIlroy’s game on the micro blogging site following a mini collapse at the Irish Open.

McIlroy surrendered a strong position of four-under par to finish one under, including hitting a double bogey at the last hole on the opening day of the tournament.

This caused Townsend to post on the website: “McIlroy’s course management was shocking. Some of the worst course management I have ever seen beyond under-10 boys’ golf competition.”

And almost immediately, McIlroy responded on Twitter by telling Townsend to “shut up. You’re a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!”

This prompted Townsend to say he stands by his comments, to which the Irishman responded: “Well I stand by my caddie.”

In a later interview, McIlroy said that he had blocked the pundit on Twitter after claiming that Townsend had been ‘having a go’ at his caddie ‘every now and again’.

McIlroy has been with caddie JP Fitzgerald since mid-way his first full season as a professional in 2008.

The 22-year-old has since become the youngest winner of the US Open since 1933, during which Fitzgerald was on the bag as usual.

Sports betting pundits note how McIlroy is seven shots adrift of leader Jeev Milkha Singh who is eight-under-par, leading the field by three shots.

Open champion Darren Clarke carded a 69 to finish one shot ahead of McIlroy, but countryman Graeme McDowell carded a one-over-par opening round.