Golf analyst questions McIlroy’s workout program; McIlroy gets annoyed

February 19, 2016

Is Rory McIlroy spending too much time in the gym?

Rory McIlroy seems a little pissed off by a Golf Channel analyst questioning whether he is spending too much time in the gym.

It turns out the golf analyst in question is former PGA Tour player Brandel Chamblee who has had a few nasty arguments with someone else who perhaps did spend too much time in the gym, Tiger Woods.

Here is what Chamblee originally said in this article at the Golf Channel:

“I say it with a lot of trepidation, because it’s a different era for sure,” Chamblee said, “and I don’t know the full extent of what he’s doing, but when I see the things he’s doing in the gym, I think of what happened to Tiger Woods. And I think more than anything of what Tiger Woods did early in his career with his game was just an example of how good a human being can be, what he did towards the middle and end of his career is an example to be wary of. That’s just my opinion. And it does give me a little concern when I see the extensive weightlifting that Rory is doing in the gym.”

“Thus far,” he added, “there’s been no signs that it’s adversely affected his game.”

Considering what happened to Tiger Woods’ career and the amount of injuries that has plagued him over the past 10 years, it isn’t surprising the comment was made.

However McIlroy seems genuinely pissed off by the comments. His first response came on Twitter:

@GolfChannel @chambleebrandel pic.twitter.com/tz7lSH7Z6k

— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) February 16, 2016

And then this…

Re the squats it was the last set of 3×3 at 120kg(265lbs). Did 3×10 at 100kg(225lbs) before that. I’m 165lbs. I’m a golfer not body builder

— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) February 17, 2016

Then prior to this week’s PGA Tour Northern Trust Open, McIlroy was asked about squats, he responded;

Well played, @McIlroyRory. Well played. 💪🏻🏋🏻 pic.twitter.com/9oBMZXAlvW

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) February 17, 2016

I’m kind of amazed how much this looks to have affected McIlroy. It seems like a reasonable comment given Tiger Woods’ history and Chamblee’s comments weren’t exactly acerbic; merely a personal observation/concern.

Further, Chamblee expanded a little on his comments in an interesting round table discussion on the Golf Channel – see below.