Masters Tournament 2023: Weather Delay and Nicklaus Critiques McIlroy
Follow the Masters Tournament 2023 as weather delays the tee-off and Jack Nicklaus criticizes Rory McIlroy’s concentration. Get insights from the golf legends and stay tuned for updates on the players’ performance.
The Masters Tee Off Delayed Amid Weather Concerns as Nicklaus Critiques McIlroy’s Focus
Augusta, Georgia – April 6, 2023
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus offered a critique of Rory McIlroy’s concentration as the 88th Masters tournament at Augusta National finally got underway on Thursday following a weather-related delay.
Overnight rain and the threat of thunderstorms pushed the start of play back from the scheduled 8 a.m. tee time to 10:30 a.m. local time. Before the action commenced, honorary starters Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson kicked off the proceedings by hitting ceremonial tee shots at 10:10 a.m. They then participated in a lengthy press conference.
In a subsequent interview on Golf Channel’s Live from the Masters, 18-time major champion Nicklaus shared his thoughts on McIlroy’s pursuit of the career Grand Slam.
“I only have one criticism of Rory,” Nicklaus said. “You have to concentrate 100 per cent of the time. For some reason, Rory always has a little bit of a lapse somewhere around the tournament. He’ll find a double bogey or triple bogey that sneaks in there. I don’t know how he does it or why he does it, but it happens.”
Nicklaus acknowledged that both Watson and Arnold Palmer, despite their undeniable talent, were unable to complete the career Grand Slam.
“Is Tom Watson good enough to win the Grand Slam? Absolutely,” Nicklaus said. “Was Arnold Palmer good enough to win the Grand Slam? Absolutely. Is Rory McIlroy good enough to win the Grand Slam, absolutely, but they have got to do it, and they all know that.”
McIlroy, playing alongside pre-tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler, made a slow start to his 10th attempt at the career Grand Slam, covering his first six holes in one over par. Defending champion Jon Rahm fared better, sitting one under par through seven holes, while New Zealand’s Ryan Fox set the early pace at five under par.
The weather delay meant the first round would not be completed on Thursday, with the final group of Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, and Tommy Fleetwood not teeing off until 4:30 p.m. local time.
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