Rory On.. The Netflix Docuseries, Being World No 1 And His Equipment Changes
Any sit-down with Rory McIlroy is generally fascinating given his nature for being open, honest and entertaining. This week at the Phoenix Open he talked on a collection of topics including the upcoming ‘Full Swing’ Netflix offering.
At the outset McIlroy seemed unlikely to be a part of it but, as the trailer revealed, the Northern Irishman is part of what promises to be one of the most revealing pieces of golf TV.
“I sort of took the attitude of see how the first season works out, see if I like it, like the idea, feel comfortable letting cameras get into my life a little bit more. But I had a good chat with [executive producer] Chad [Mumm] in the summertime. Obviously, with everything that's going on in the world of golf, he just said having my voice in there in some way could just add a layer of context that wasn't there already,” McIlroy explained.
“I made sure that the parameters were very much like, look, you can film me at – you're not coming to my house, you're not coming in my car, you're not coming anywhere near my family, but you want to do some stuff with me at golf tournaments, totally fine. They were the ground rules that were sort of set, and here we are.”
McIlroy was also asked about the possibility of taking part in an in-round interview where a player talks his way through a hole. To date we’ve heard from Max Homa and Keith Mitchell who were both excellent at demonstrating how they had planned for and were now playing a certain hole.
“It would take a little bit of convincing for me, but I'd certainly be open to it,” McIlroy added. “But given the last couple of weeks and how well I think it's been received, I'd certainly be open to it.”
As for the top spot in the game he was asked if he felt like the world’s best? In recent months there has been a lot of chat as to whether he or Jon Rahm were the ultimate top dog.
“Yes, because I do. I'm playing well. I feel like consistency-wise, I've been as good as I have been ever in my career. I think the results speak for themselves, as well, over not just the past six months but really the past 18 months post-Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, I feel like I've been on a really good run of form since then.
“I said at the end of last year, I feel like as complete of a player as I ever have. If you just look at my statistical categories, there's no real glaring weaknesses there. I've worked really hard on that, to try to become a more well-rounded player.”
As for the new Titleist Vokey wedges, which he won with in Dubai, he has Justin Thomas to thank for testing those out.
“This is my first year of my new deal with TaylorMade and they gave me just a little bit of flexibility with some of the clubs that I can play. Yeah, so that was really it. I was messing around with Justin, I see him all the time at home and messing around with some of his wedges and some of the grinds he has. I got in touch and ordered a couple, and they've worked really nicely.”
At the outset McIlroy seemed unlikely to be a part of it but, as the trailer revealed, the Northern Irishman is part of what promises to be one of the most revealing pieces of golf TV.
“I sort of took the attitude of see how the first season works out, see if I like it, like the idea, feel comfortable letting cameras get into my life a little bit more. But I had a good chat with [executive producer] Chad [Mumm] in the summertime. Obviously, with everything that's going on in the world of golf, he just said having my voice in there in some way could just add a layer of context that wasn't there already,” McIlroy explained.
“I made sure that the parameters were very much like, look, you can film me at – you're not coming to my house, you're not coming in my car, you're not coming anywhere near my family, but you want to do some stuff with me at golf tournaments, totally fine. They were the ground rules that were sort of set, and here we are.”
McIlroy was also asked about the possibility of taking part in an in-round interview where a player talks his way through a hole. To date we’ve heard from Max Homa and Keith Mitchell who were both excellent at demonstrating how they had planned for and were now playing a certain hole.
“It would take a little bit of convincing for me, but I'd certainly be open to it,” McIlroy added. “But given the last couple of weeks and how well I think it's been received, I'd certainly be open to it.”
As for the top spot in the game he was asked if he felt like the world’s best? In recent months there has been a lot of chat as to whether he or Jon Rahm were the ultimate top dog.
“Yes, because I do. I'm playing well. I feel like consistency-wise, I've been as good as I have been ever in my career. I think the results speak for themselves, as well, over not just the past six months but really the past 18 months post-Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, I feel like I've been on a really good run of form since then.
“I said at the end of last year, I feel like as complete of a player as I ever have. If you just look at my statistical categories, there's no real glaring weaknesses there. I've worked really hard on that, to try to become a more well-rounded player.”
As for the new Titleist Vokey wedges, which he won with in Dubai, he has Justin Thomas to thank for testing those out.
“This is my first year of my new deal with TaylorMade and they gave me just a little bit of flexibility with some of the clubs that I can play. Yeah, so that was really it. I was messing around with Justin, I see him all the time at home and messing around with some of his wedges and some of the grinds he has. I got in touch and ordered a couple, and they've worked really nicely.”