Rory Laughs Off Intimidation Factor; Devises A Much Better Answer To The Olympic Question

Jeff Babineau reports on Rory McIlroy's Tour Championship press conference Wednesday where the culturally unidentifiable lad laughed off Greg Norman's suggestion that Tiger is somehow intimidated by his presence.

To which McIlroy replied, “How can I intimidate Tiger Woods? I mean, the guy’s got 75 or 70-whatever (actually 74) PGA Tour wins, 14 majors … I mean, he’s been the biggest thing ever in our sport. How could some little 23-year-old from Northern Ireland with a few wins come up and intimidate him? It’s just not possible.”

And an unbylined Sky Sports story has this on the dreaded cultural identity question. Much better.

"It just hit home with me at how my success is welcomed by everyone. It would be terrible for me to nearly segregate myself from one of those group that supports me so much.

"It's four years away - I still have a bit of time to decide. But, I'm very, very appreciative and very grateful of the support that I get from everyone.

"It's great that I get so much support. There are not many people in my position that have to go through what I might have to go through in four years' time, but it is what it is.

"I'm a golfer first and foremost and I just want to play well on the golf course. Hopefully people enjoy that and the entertainment that that brings."