Rory McIlroy criticised by legendary players for attitude after British Open

Comes in for criticism from senior players

By: JAMES FARRELL | Published Friday, July 22, 2011, 7:50 AM | Updated Friday, July 22, 2011, 7:50 AM

Rory McIlroy has come in for criticism from some legends of the game after his comments about links play after his disappointing British Open.

1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam and three-time major winner Nick Price said McIlroy needed to change his attitude. Both men are playing in the Seniors British Open this week,

"He’s only a young kid, he’s going to say the wrong things every now and then and he’s probably now thinking, ’What the hell have I said,’" Woosnam said . "Of course, to be a true golfer, you have to be able to play around the world, play in different kind of golf conditions.

Tiger (Woods) adapted, (Jack) Nicklaus adapted, (Arnold) Palmer adapted. They all adapted. He needs to adapt. It’s his age, but he’s got the ability to do whatever he wants to do."

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I think it’s difficult for the kid. Everyone was comparing him to Tiger Woods but  at the end of the day he’s only won three tournaments. And one of them was a major," said  the Welshman, "I think we’ve got to ease off on the kid. He’s got to develop."
Price was also critical

"He has to get his mind set right for that — he’s going to have 20 or 30 Open Championships in his career and he doesn’t want to have that attitude," Price said. "He’d better get out there and start liking those courses and figure out a way to play. If he’s a good enough player, he will do that.

"Every great player adapts to the conditions. He may not like it as much as playing on parkland courses but he will learn, I guarantee it."

The legendary Tom Watson, however, said he understood how McIlroy felt

"Honestly, he sounded like I did when I was his age playing links golf," Watson said. "I did not like links golf. I did not like the bounce. I did not like the firmness of the greens, and the wind so much, and I didn’t like the uncertainty. When I hit a shot the way I thought it should go, it should stop. In American golf, it stops where you want it.”