Battles between athletes and the media are nothing new. However, one spat between golfer Rory McIlroy and American BBC commenter Jay Townsend on Thursday, July 29 via Twitter garnered some attention from other media outlets and golf fans.
Rather than ignore comments made by Townsend via Twitter, Rory went right at him with a Twitter response of his own.
"@JayATownsend shut up -- You're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!," tweeted Rory McIlroy from @McIlroyRory.
Some were shocked by McIlroy's blast at Townsend and blogger Jay Busbee says it reminds us that Rory is still only 22 years old. Some say Rory went too far and that his response was immature. Still, others don't think Rory was in the wrong at all, with many fans cheering him on. So what prompted the Twitter attack in the first place?
It all began with some criticizing of McIlroy's caddie. Townsend said, "McIlroy's course management was shocking." He later suggests he hire Stevie Williams. He then calls it some of the "worst course management I have ever seen beyond under-10's boys golf competition".
McIlroy was not pleased with the attack on JR and lets Townsend know his feelings in 140 characters or less.
Townsend retorts, "Sorry, but I stand by my comments." So young Rory replies with, "well, I stand by my caddie." Finally, Townsend responded with an amicable, "As you should, I respect that."
I don't know about you but that's pretty tame compared to some of the Twitter battles I have seen.
Could McIlroy have handled it more maturely? Probably so, however, he later says that he and Townsend have been at it for nearly three years now and while he usually ignores the pot shots at his caddie, this one was the "straw that broke the camel's back."
No one can really blame McIlroy for standing up for his caddie, not even Townsend himself, and with social media bringing us the ability to instantly reply to such abuse, it's no surprise really that young Rory would get pushed to his limit.
If this was the NFL, there wouldn't even be a story here. McIlroy did not use any profanities, but according to many, his "failed golfer" remark is worse than any profanity. Golf has its own set of rules and it's a game of class and respect. Some believe that McIlroy took it too far with the comment, but was it really that bad?
He was shooting Townsend back a little of his own medicine. Not the most mature move, I agree, but certainly funny and well-deserved. Plus, with all the hubbub made over it, I'm pretty sure Rory will think twice before his next angry tweet.
On a side note, it's nice to see public figures like Rory McIlroy actually using their own Twitter accounts. Now, if only I could get him to reply to me, I'd be a happy girl.
Rory later told Press Association Sport, "Now I've blocked him on Twitter so I won't be reading anything more."
Ah, if only we could "block" people in real life, right Rory?
Lisa is a recreational golfer, wife of an amateur golfer and mother to three young golfers.
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