Is Rory McIlroy a spoiled brat and just an overgrown child? - Antics during the U.S. Open leave his maturity very much in question

Rory McIlroy flings his club after chipping towards the 4th green. He shot 76 in the final round at the US Open to finish 14 over par. Photograph: Rob Carr/Getty Images

There was one shot from yesterday’s coverage of the U.S. Masters which summed up the tournament for Rory McIlroy.

It showed him hitting a very bad shot then grinding his club into the ground until he broke it.

Yes it was one of those Nike clubs that they have paid $200 million to sponsor and it made McIlroy look like a very spoilt brat indeed.

Every golfer has frustrations, some even throw clubs as McIlroy did earlier in the same round but the sheer tantrum on the golf course that McIlroy threw was above and beyond.

Earlier on Thursday he was seen arguing with his caddy when he made a wrong club selection. It is not something that usually happens so openly.

Yes he is having a tough year and clearly he has personal problems, having sacked his second management team in as many years.

I am beginning to suspect that fame came too early to the County Down lad and now he is struggling mightily with it.

He has God given talents but seems to expect the golf world to lie down and give him every tournament.

Remember he walked off in a snot earlier this year when he was doing badly in a tournament.

That is not the act of a champion or even a classy human being.

Nike must be seriously wondering if they have spent wisely.

The rest of us are wondering what happened to that smiling young lad who captivated the golf world last year.

Was Notre Dame’s Everett Golson caught cheating at exams leading to suspension? Quarterback statement hints at major integrity issue and harsh punishment does also

Everett Golson

Everett Golson must have been caught cheating in exams or something of that magnitude to have drawn the punishment he did at Notre Dame.

Golson hinted at that scenario when he stated “At this point I understand how my integrity is in question.”

The college would  have suspended him as a last resort given the importance of his presence to the team and the high hopes placed in him for 2014 bowl glory.

It must have been a very serious matter to  warrant suspension at a critical time for the football program.

There had been some rumors about wayward behavior by Golson including showing up late for practise last year but nothing too serious which makes the announcement even more of a stunner.

Brian Kelly must think he is snakebitten at the position. His obvious up and comer and Golson replacement Gunner Kiel just decamped elsewhere to Cincinnati. Tommy Rees is a reliable back up and spot player but does not possess the tools for the wide open Kelly offense.

As for Golson, despite his pledge to be back it is a long way to Fall 2014.

His statement seemed very defensive, "My parents and the community I grew up in have instilled values in me that have and will continue to allow me to be successful in the future," he said. "There have been many lessons learned as I worked to become the starting quarterback at Notre Dame and each was a result of coach [Brian] Kelly's belief in me as an athlete and a person.

"At this point, I understand how my integrity could be in question but I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual.

"Lastly, I want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the opportunity already granted and also the opportunity going forth to regain my eligibility in the winter of 2014."

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Wes Lunt has drawn interest from Notre Dame within the past month and now may again be an option, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad. Lunt will visit Louisville on Tuesday, a source said.

Lunt would not be eligible this season. He is also considering Illinois.

Former Fighting Irish quarterback Gunner Kiel transferred to Cincinnati last month. He said Sunday he is committed to coach Tommy Tuberville and the Bearcats in response to speculation he could try to return to Notre Dame.

Senior Tommy Rees is the most experienced quarterback enrolled, with 18 career starts. Fourth-year junior Andrew Hendrix and Malik Zaire, a spring enrollee, are also on the depth chart.

Zaire was the sixth-ranked QB prospect in the Class of 2013, according to the ESPN 300.

There could be precedent for a chance for Golson to reapply to Notre Dame.

Orb should win Preakness easily, Oxbow up for second

Orb

Orb quite simply looks unbeatable in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico today.

Don’t take my word for it ask the owners and trainers of the second, third and fourth place finishers behind Orb at the Kentucky Derby.

They have all decided to skip challenging the red hot favorite after his facile win on the first Saturday in May.

The difference with Orb is that unlike most Derby winners he was not at his ultimate best on the big day.

Shug McGaughey horses come along slowly and Shug, usually very reticent, has said he sees even more room for improvement in the colt.

In that event the rest are running for second money and I like Oxbow who finished sixth to Orb to do just that.

D Wayne Lukas knows how to prepare horses for the Triple Crown even if they do little afterwards.

Oxbow went with the suicidal pace at Churchill Downs bit was the only one of the front runners to hang tough late.

He has Gary Stevens on board and I think he can finish second to Orb.

For third I like My Lute ridden by former local rider Rosie Napravnik. He too closed well in the Derby and should be hanging around at the finish.

Try Goldencents to complete the superfecta and box a $2 combination for $48.

Could Celtic boss Neil Lennon be next manager at Manchester United? - His European exploits, especially defeating Barcelona may put him in frame

Friend in arms: Neil Lennon could be a savvy choice to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford

Could Celtic skipper Neil Lennon be the person to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford?

Ferguson admires the doughty Northern Irish international and must surely have looked on in amazement as Lennon's Celtic defeated Barcelona in the European Champions Cup and qualified for the final rounds to everyone's astonishment.

Lennon has proven he can handle the European arena, these days far more important than domestic football.

He has kept his team competitive, despite the fact that 90 percent of their games in the Scottish Premier are essentially laughably one sided for them - no mean feat.

As for pressure there are few greater tasks than taking over Celtic where the fan expectation is always sky high. He has handled that well.

Ferguson will have a huge say in who his successor is and the Old Trafford folk have already said that competence at the European level is a key factor.

For his part Lennon would have to tame his occasional temperoutbursts but like Ferguson, fiery can be good when a huge game is on the line.

Lennon is a huge fan of the Scot Ferguson and the men are friends, which helps.

After he resigned Lennon said "It is a real shock that Sir Alex has left the game he loves and undoubtedly football will really miss him, however, I would like to wish him all the very best on his very well-deserved retirement. It is a privilege to know Sir Alex and I would like to thank him for all the assistance he has given me as a manager. There is no better source of help and advice than Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He has decades of experience as a manager but most importantly he knows how to win. He has given Manchester United fans a glorious period of success, bringing trophy after trophy to Old Trafford and making his club one of the biggest footballing institutions in the world."

Orb has what it takes to win Triple Crown in 2013 - Kentucky Derby winner has breeding, connections and talent

Kentucky Derby winner Orb

So for once the talking horse was the running horse too.

Orb who was praised and pointed to all week by the experts for the way he was training proved it was no fluke when he ran down the front runners in the Kentucky Derby and sprinted away from the closers. Orb’s turn of foot when charging from the back of the pack to the lead was truly astonishing.

He did so in deeply impressive style and there could not have been a more popular winner than the Shug McGaughey horse.

McGaughey does things the old-fashioned way and he never brings a horse to the derby unless he feels he has a chance.

“You let the horse take you there,” is his comment.

How right he is and Orb certainly did that. He began early in the New Year by taking the Fountain of Youth, then the Florida Derby and now the Run for the Roses.

In the process he seems to offer the best chance of a Triple Crown winner in over 35 years.

He has the connections in McGaughey and his owners the Phipps team who do things the right way.

McGaughey sounded incredibly confident that he could take the Preakness in two weeks and he definitely has the breeding for the Belmont which his granddad AP Indy won easily. AP won in the second fastest time ever, the glorious Secretariat of course, being the fastest.

So could this be the year?

We’ve had a bunch of nouveau riche owners and trainers try, Big Brown, I’ll Have Another, any combination of Baffert horses to name but a few. But Orb’s connections are the blue blood of racing, eternal supporters, not fly by nights.

I think we might have a true champion and Triple Crown winner on our hands.

Let’s hope so.

Goldencents can lead all the way for Doug O’Neill in Kentucky Derby - Lines of Battle, Irish horse looks outclassed in Run for the Roses

Goldencents, with regular rider Kevin Krigger, a good bet for this year's
Kentucky Derby

It is a puzzling Kentucky Derby this year with no outstanding candidate and favorite Orb set to go off about 4/1.

There appears to be a half dozen or so horses in with a chance but on this big day it is always best to stick with those with Derby winning experience.

It takes extraordinary luck and skill to end up in the derby, the most prestigious race in horse racing. Wayne Lukas, now 77, is the king of the Derby but his two runners Oxbow and Will Take Charge seem outclassed on this occasion.

However, Oxbow, under Gary Stevens may surprise. I expect this horse to shoot out of the 2 hole and gun for the lead, there seems little other option when you are trapped down on the inside.

I expect Goldencents and Verrazano to be right there up front as well and the pace to be relatively moderate perhaps 48 for the half.

Normandy Invasion and Orb at that point should be making their way through the packed field ready to deliver a late challenge.

I think Verrazano will not hold on round the final turn. he has only ever run four times and does not have the bottom for a mile and a quarter yet . It will prove a bridge too far, excuse the pun.

I expect Goldencents to take it up in the stretch and seek to hang on against the closers.
I think he will succeed. O’Neill showed a deft touch with I’ll Have Another and may well be the next West Coast Bob Baffert when it comes to winning big races like the derby.

Normandy Invasion is the one I expect to chase him home with Oxbow and Orb finishing third and fourth.

Irish challenger Lines of Battle looks like a turf or artificial surface horse and not a dirt horse.

However, if it rains heavily as some are predicting look out, he had great wet track pedigree.

So it’s Doug O’Neill for me for a second consecutive derby with Goldencents setting out on the Triple Crown trail and the Preakness in two weeks.’

Good luck everyone!

Why Ireland’s Rory McIlroy can defeat Tiger Woods at the 2013 Masters - Comeback kid proves in Texas Open that he still has a unique talent

Rory McIlroy has a real chance of winning the Texas Open

Rory MclIroy made a brave bid at the Texas Open, finishing second, and now looks like he will be a huge contender at the Master.

In fact, I’m predicting he will win it. He will be the comeback kid after a tough opening three months to the year, he is now preparing to shake the critics up again.

Recently he has been the subject of vicious criticism, from everything about spending too much time with his girlfriend, to his new clubs, to his commitment.

Watching him uncork a 349 yard drive on the final hole at San Antonio however, you realize just what an amazing talent he is and how wrong the critics are about him.

He has a natural talent that will define golf for the next decade or so. Though only 5 foot 9, he has a natural power stroke that other golfers can only envy - including Woods

He is a once in a lifetime talent, aged just 23, and with as many majors as Tiger Woods had at his age.

Sure, he has made many young man’s mistake by falling in love in public and making mistakes with the media, but underneath that Huckleberry Finn, ”ah shucks” visage is a fierce and uniquely talented competitor.

That was clear over the last few holes at the Texas Open where McIlroy threw caution to the winds and very nearly came off with the victory.

While the U.S. media remains fixated on Tiger, he is fast approaching the 40 mark and his best days are behind him.

His comeback this year from personal problems which were way overblown in the media has certainly made for good copy. But he will never be the young Tiger who blew away a Masters field during his first victory there in 1997 by 12 strokes.

The same is not true for Rory who has his best years ahead yet.

Expect him to prove it this week by defeating Tiger and everyone else and winning the Masters.

Has Rory McIlroy joined Oscar Pistorius, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods in the Nike curse?

Has Rory McIlroy been cursed by Nike?

Irish pro golfer Rory McIlroy could be the latest star to be affected by what people are calling the ‘Curse of the Nike.’

The 23-year-old champion golfer made headlines for the wrong reasons when he walked off the course midway through the second round of the Honda Classic on Friday.

After a rough start at the Honda Classic, McIlroy called it quits on the 18th hole (the ninth hole of his round) after hitting his 3rd ball into the water. The Co. Down man later blamed his lackluster performance on painful wisdom teeth.

The latest in a string of disappointing results for the Northern Irish golfer has led people to suggest he has been affected by ‘Curse of the Nike’ myth.

Since Rory signed a $250 million deal with the sports brand giant Nike in January, his performance has suffered. He has had a number of bad results, culminating in Friday’s bizarre withdrawal.

Other stars who have suffered from the ‘Nike Curse’ include Olympic Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods. The three sporting stars were stripped of their six figure Nike endorsements after a scandalous fall from grace.

According to CBS, Nike has $4 billion in endorsement contracts with athletes in many different sports.

Forbes senior editor Kurt Badenhausen says Nike is the victim of its own success. “Sticking by these big-name guys can potentially still be good for business," he said. "... Nike endorses so many athletes that if one of them does get in trouble, chances are, it's going to be a Nike guy.

Can Rory McIlroy get his groove back after meltdown? Yes is the answer if the past is any guide

RoryMcIlroy

It is probably too early to push all the panic buttons about Rory McIlroy but it is definitely getting close.

His performance in walking off the course yesterday was a complete disaster from a personal and a public relations point of view.

Golfers simply do not walk off whatever the score and he should have completed.

The excuse he gave of wisdom tooth pain sounded as implausible as if he had said a cat ate his clubs.

So the prophets of doom for McIlroy are out in force today, predicting a huge slump.

They may be right except much of what was said about McIlroy after his meltdown yesterday at a tournament in Florida was also being said after his disastrous Masters final round a few years ago.

Back then there were many predictions that McIlroy’s blow up when he shot an 80 after holding a four stroke lead would affect him very badly.

Instead he turned it around and won two majors along the way, battling another slew of stories that he was spending too much time with his professional  tennis playing  girlfriend.

This time they are saying it is his clubs from the new deal with Nike that are the problem.

I wouldn’t bet on it. McIlroy usually gets the season off to a slow start. He comes into rhythm right around the Masters.

He is cutting it close but he has about six weeks left.

The betting here is that he will do it.

Matt Ryan and Tom Brady the nowhere men after defeats to 49ers, Ravens

New England Patriot's QB Tom Brady (Photo:Globe)

End of the line for Tom Brady in Super Bowl appearances?

At one point it appeared likely that the two greatest Irish American quarterbacks of their generation, Matt Ryan of the Falcons and Tom Brady of the Patriots, would meet in Super Bowl 47.

That was when the Falcons had jumped out to a 17 point lead against the 49ers and looked to be cruising.
Meanwhile Brady’s Patriots were favored to defeat the Ravens at home, leaving a mouth watering clash of two great quarterbacks as the story of the Super Bowl.

It was not to be. The 49ers, despite being 1-27 in games where they trailed by 17 points, staged a magnificent comeback, helped, it has to be said, by two huge blunders by Ryan, one an interception, the other when he bobbled a snap and San Francisco got the ball.

Still we thought, Tom Brady will surely do the necessary at home against the Ravens who lacked the kind of explosive offense that usually gets teams to Super Bowls.

Not to be however, as Brady fell asleep in the second half and the Ravens had 21 unanswered points.
The demise of the two quarterbacks raises important questions about their future.

Legend though he is, the chances of Tom Brady making it back to the Super Bowl grow dimmer with each passing year.

He has become one of those quarterbacks who looks good in the regular season but fails to shine in the playoffs.

The same could be said of Ryan, who had a spectacular regular season but made critical mistakes in the play off game today.

At least Ryan has youth on his side and Atlanta will have learned a lot this year.

Brady on the other hand is reaching the point where his skills will inevitably decline. We may have seen the last of Tom Brady ever making it to a Super Bowl.

Ryan has a shot but he needs that clutch Brady ability which the New England quarterback had at his height.
Both men will be watching from home this year -- a huge blow for them.

Truth be told the future looks a lot less bright for them both after yesterday’s results.

Say it ain’t so Brian -- Coach Kelly set for Philadelphia Eagles? -- Met with Eagles brass after Notre Dame championship game

Notre Dame's Brian Kelly is interviewing with the Philly Eagles
(Photo: USA Today)

Say it ain’t so Brian Kelly!

Just days after losing the BSC Championship game to Alabama ESPN reported that Kelly had met with the Philadelphia Eagles about the head coaching job.

You know that “The Scream” painting by Edvard Munch? That’s how we Notre Dame fans feel right now.

After a quarter century in the wilderness it looked like we were on our way back to the big time.

Sure ‘Bama beat us, but 12-0 was nothing to sneeze at and making the national title game was extraordinary.

And now this.

Kelly will do what Kelly has to do, but it surely cannot be about money as Notre Dame would surely match any offer from Philly.

He has never coached a day as a pro and would be taking an enormous gamble.

But we do know that Kelly is a winner and the Eagles desperately need a winner.

We know too the pressure on a Notre Dame coach is like nothing else in football. Lou Holtz gave it up because he was so exhausted.

Read more: Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly attracting interest from pro NFL teams

Kelly after three years might be feeling the same way.

Or he might just be parlaying his position to get a better financial deal.

Whatever it is it is bad news for the Irish.

Recruits in the pipeline will hold off until it is clear what the deal is.

Confidence in the football program will be shaken until Kelly’s future becomes clear.

He’s on a vacation outside the country.

Hey, it is a business first and foremost and Kelly and Notre Dame know that.

But having resurrected the Irish football program, Kelly was on his way to sainthood around South Bend.

Now there may be as many brickbats as bouquets heading his way.

Sad that.

Read more: Notre Dame support is a search for family and common roots for millions

Notre Dames defeat by Alabama was God's plan, claims religious zealot - VIDEO

William Tapley

Let's face it, for most Notre Dame fans Monday night's national championship game felt like a three hour visit to the dentist.

The Fighting Irish were, to put it mildly, routed. And one rather strange man who predicted the outcome also claims he knows why.

Almighty God, claims William Tapley, is was sending America a stark message: President Obama is the Leopard, the fourth beast mentioned in the Book of Daniel. And, oh yeah, the Apocalypse is coming.

And you thought just the game was hell on earth?

Is there ever a time when the Apocalypse isn't coming, though? And is the Creator of the infinite universe really going to use a college football game to make His mysterious ways known to man?

Tapley, 73, a retired furniture engineer from Forestport, New York is in no doubt. A well known religious zealot, he refers to himself the 'Co-prophet of the End Times' and 'Third Eagle of the Apocalypse,' which must make for a bit of fun at parties. But he's deadly serious about his predictions, as video below makes clear.

Read more: Nightmare for Notre Dame ends a dream season for Fighting Irish

Obama sounds like Alabama, he says. And Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, which means it's important to Catholic bishops, and the Catholic bishops were deified by Obama. Or something. Watch the video and decide for yourself.

This is a man who actually looks forward to the end of the world. So much so he writes ear bleedingly celebratory songs about it. Check them out below. And remember that Notre Dame's defeat was actually God's plan.

Notre Dame vs Alabama: A Prophecy?

Is the Notre Dame BCS Bowl ad aimed at dissing Alabama?

Fighting Irish fans prep for game day

Is Notre Dame dissing Alabama not so subtly with their BCS Bowl ad which they have just released?

With ESPN predicting a record all time viewership for a college game, all eyes will be on the Irish and the Crimson Tide on Monday night.

The undercurrent in the game however, is the rivalry between two colleges whose student athlete graduation rates and the type of degrees they achieve could not be more different.

Notre Dame football team graduates 97 per cent, first in the nation indeed. Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick has stated that he is at least as proud of that figure as he is of the team reaching the national championship game -- and rightfully so.

Alabama is in the low 70s percentage in the past few years and have been improving steadily but there is little comparison in the quality of degrees earned or the entrance test.

Some cynics have dubbed  the BCS Bowl the ‘Catholics Vs Cousins’ stand off.  During a game Alabama played in, rival supporters held up a blown-up picture of a library and  a comment that  essentially said “Hey SEC this is a library.”

All of which is the reason why the prime time ad is so interesting that Notre Dame have put together.

It shows a bunch of Notre Dame students gathering, walking across campus lighting candles and you think it is leading to a scene at the grotto or the church. There is even a shot of Touchdown Jesus.

It eventually fades into a shot at what looks like Notre Dame stadium and the candles held aloft by the students, standing in a narrow circle of lights together spelling out the words
“#1 in student athlete graduation”

Interesting focus that, given who they are playing don’t you think?