Golf legend questions Rory McIlroy act amid shocker at The Masters

Rory McIlroy has had a shocker so far at The Masters and he was criticised by a golf legend for an unusual act during his round.

Rory McIlroy with one Airpod in.

Golf legend Nick Faldo has questioned Rory McIlroy’s decision to wear AirPods for an on-course commentary during his first round at The Masters.

The Sun reports the Northern Irishman, 33, headed to Augusta as one of the favourites as he looked to go one step further than his runner-up finish last year.

But he did not get off to the perfect start as he finished his first round with a par score.

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Yet despite his struggles, McIlroy agreed to conduct an interview after a wayward shot on the ninth.

It was an unprecedented move as he wore AirPods to interact with the broadcasters while out on the course — something American Max Homa also agreed to do.

Speaking about what had gone wrong on a hole McIlroy said: “Yeah I just eased off on it a little bit.

“I think just in the back of my mind - obviously you don’t want to go long on this pin.

“So, yeah I just eased off of it - probably pitched it five or six yards shorter than I wanted to. So I at least got that putt up the hill, hopefully have a decent look at it.

Rory McIlroy with one Airpod in.

“If I don’t hole it, then get it around the hole, you know start the back nine afresh.”

Some golf fans praised the three-time Major winner for giving viewers an extensive insight.

This is quite incredible insight listening to McIlroy via AirPods halfway through his round #TheMasters

— Tom Parsons (@Teeps) April 6, 2023

But Faldo, 65, who won The Masters three times between 1989 and 1996, was not on board with McIlroy’s unorthodox move.

Speaking on Twitter, Faldo said: “I was quite shocked that Rory and Max put those AirPod things in and did a running commentary.

“This is The Masters and we’ve been talking so much about how Rory said he was physically and technically in the right place — all it was was mental.

“I bet Bob Rotella (McIlroy’s sports psychologist) didn’t say ‘Oh tell the world what you’re doing’. I don’t honestly get that.

“This golf course, this tournament, is the most wonderful one because it’s just you and your caddie inside the ropes — there’s no still photographers allowed in — so you just do your own thing.

Rory McIlroy has had a shocker at The Masters. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“And I would have thought for Rory to get off to a better start than he did just do your own thing, get in your own little world and don’t tell anybody what you’re doing. Keep it a secret.”

McIlroy explained he thought wearing the Airpod to speak to the broadcaster “would be a cool thing to do”.

“I did it in Austin and didn’t feel like it took me out of my rhythm in any way or made me think about things too much,” he said.

“So it’s nice to provide the audience at home a little bit more insight into what’s going on out there.”

McIlroy’s second round ended in disaster with a score of +5 to leave him set to miss the cut as play was suspended due to heavy winds.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.