“He’s not quite Irish, not quite British and… despite living in Florida for the past twelve years is not really American either” – Rory McIlroy, the personality, the individual, the brand and sporting icon belongs to “Rory Land”, says the writer of a new biography on the golfing legend.
If that definition sounds a tad American it is and the author, Tim Gay is an accomplished US-based writer who specialises in politics, sports and history.
The full title of the book is Rory Land: The Up-and-Down World of Golf’s Global Icon.
The biography may have to be amended before the May 13 publication date of the ebook (the hardback follows on July 3) – as McIlroy has subsequently silenced his critics by finally winning the elusive Masters tournament and its coveted green jacket, along with completing golf’s career grand slam. He has broken the hoodoo. Maybe the new title will be ‘The Up-Down-and-Up-Again World of Golf’s Global Icon’.
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The language and style of this well researched book is very much written for an American audience. Gay is an expert on his subject matter, both the sport and the central character. (Though whether McIlroy will love the book or not is open to interpretation).
Right from the outset, the author pulls no punches saying, “This ain’t a hagiography”. But nor is it some gossipy kiss-and-tell book.
Certainly, there are elements of this book which may make for slightly uncomfortable (but not unfair) reading for McIlroy and his tight-knit inner circle.
The author may not have written a hagiography but it is clear he’s a huge fan of McIlroy’s golfing achievements. He describes Rory’s unique swing as “being bequeathed by the gods of golf” and quotes several golfers who favourably compared Rory’s personality to the late popular golfing luminary, Arnold Palmer.
Gay outlines in great detail many of the international tournaments McIlroy succeeded in but also charts some famous duds. McIlroy, he notes, is not afraid to express opinions and that’s what makes him more interesting to the public than other pro players. It doesn’t really matter that those opinions can occasionally change or appear inconsistent.
Like many famous sports stars, McIlroy is a now fully fledged member of the celebrity circus and therefore lives his life in a goldfish bowl – more Hollywood than Holywood. His private life, no matter how guarded, is no longer private.
At times, he has not helped his own reputation because of that famous Ulster thranness (stubbornness). Amongst all the prestigious accolades and awards which Rory has amassed, the book reveals that a less welcoming prize was the ‘Turkey of the Year Award’ from Sports Illustrated after he walked off a course midway in bad humour.
As the writer says, “It’s not easy being Rory McIlroy!”
The star’s business affairs and management get quite an airing in considerable detail in this biography. In parts it’s none too flattering but being a top performing golf pro is not just about playing good golf – it’s all about the brand. In fact, big business through sponsorships, product endorsements and merchandising.
The heroes of the biography are definitely Rory’s parents, Gerry and Rose. He was an only child who they loved and indulged. Like most Irish parents they sacrificed much, scrimping and saving and sometimes going without. But let’s face it, they had a child prodigy on their hands.
In parts it’s none too flattering but being a top performing golf pro is not just about playing good golf – it’s all about the brand
Rory’s closeness to his parents does not go unnoticed. Clearly the values and sense of community he weaned at his home were character building. He has twice received national community awards for his philanthropy and charitable activities.
In a very American way, the Rory narrative is colourfully told against the background of sectarianism and violence which plagued Northern Ireland throughout the misnomered period known as the Troubles. Some of that ugliness touched Rory’s family when a great uncle was murdered in a sectarian killing.
Yet Irish readers will probably believe that if one had to rear children in that era, there were many, many more towns which suffered and endured much more than the rather idyllic and rarefied surroundings of Holywood, Co Down.
The writer sympathetically observes that Rory is a rounded individual who is rooted by his family ties. It is hard to not watch his entertaining golfing style, even when he makes simple mistakes. Rory wears his emotions on his sleeve which endears him to the public but not always tabloid press seeking sensationalist headlines.
There’s an Irish saying ‘Go raibh tú ag iarraidh do chúthú’ which translates as, ‘May you never be too proud to know your place’. After reading this biography, warts and all, Rory does seem to know his place, where he came from and where he’s going. Irish, British or American, everyone has a soft spot in Rory Land.
Rory Land: The Up-and-Down World of Golf’s Global Icon by Timothy M Gay is published by Regalo Press as an ebook (£15.99) on May 13 and in hardback (£25) on July 3