Is Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy's Pressure Relief Valve? #golf

With a Monday weather-related finale at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tiger Woods has once again become the number-one golfer in the world. Fans are joyful but players...not so much unless, of course, you're Rory McIlroy.


NBC Final Round notes from Bay Hill included a compelling quote from the cantankerous Johnny Miller about a possible improvement in Rory McIlroy's game after Woods' victory, "Maybe that will actually help Rory McIlroy by taking the heat off him being number one and set him free again."

So, although Tiger Woods may now be scaring the field once again, he might actually be putting McIlroy's mind at ease, allowing young Rory to sharpen his game and his new Nike VR golf clubs, from VR-S Covert driver to VR Pro Blade Irons.


McIlroy skipped Bay Hill this week, choosing a casual round at a local muni to butting heads with Woods. Perhaps Rory prefers building his confidence instead by playing the "lesser of two evils", Phil Mickelson, at the Shell Houston Open this week?


Although a fifth Masters is not assured for Tiger, Joe LaCava, Woods' caddie, says there is definitely "more confidence" in his short game and putting. Graeme McDowell seems to have put the entire Woods-McIlroy battle in perspective. “Rory’s been No 1 for a while and having this kind of challenge will definitely gear him up. When you’ve achieved many of your goals, your motivations disappear and this will help him refocus.”

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Photo credit: i.i.com.com

Golf Galaxy Brings You the Nike Covert Distance Challenge

Golf Galaxy has teamed up with Nike to bring golfers across the country the Nike Covert Distance Challenge. 

Every weekend (Friday through Sunday) in March, Nike gurus will be in-store to deliver club fittings. Golfers of all levels are invited to bring in their existing driver to test against the new Nike VR_S Covert Tour. 

Just by participating in a fitting, the golfer will be given a free sleeve of Nike 20XI golf balls. If the golfers make a Nike VR_S Covert purchase, they’ll receive a demo trial pack of 20XI, 20XI-X balls and RZN X balls (1 dozen total).

As I am not located near a Golf Galaxy, I, unfortunately, cannot take advantage of the Nike Covert Distance Challenge but I would love for you to post your thoughts and experiences about the new Covert and about Nike in general in our comments section below.

If you haven’t already tried the VR_S Covert, now is the best chance to try a driver that offers FlexLoft adjustability and unique high-speed cavity back technology—all backed by the one-on-one support of a Nike fitting guru.

Here is your chance to test the Covert at any Golf Galaxy location and take advantage of the expertise and, of course, the freebies.

I’m not sure if you’re located close enough to a Golf Galaxy to participate in the challenge so here’s a list of all Golf Galaxy locations across the USA http://www.golfgalaxy.com/store_locator.aspx.

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

With the Nike Covert Driver in your golf bag, you may be saying "Sorry" a lot more on the Course: