Manspat Brewing! Rory Responds To Brandel Over Weightlifting

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I noticed on social media that many rejoiced, or at least declared, the appropriateness of Rory McIlroy's Tweeted video response to Brandel Chamblee.

A video clip of McIlroy with 265 pounds on his shoulders was all the four-time major winner posted as a response to the Golf Channel and Chamblee Twitter accounts.

Now, before you chalk this one up to lame little social media battle, consider a few things to determine if this response was appropriate, wise or necessary:

- Chamblee said that McIlroy's love for the gym was the only thing he was really seeing as a potential negative, in a conference call full of positives about McIlroy's game.

- Tiger Woods bulked up and a large number of people in golf believe he is now paying the price for that with a body saddled by injuries.

- McIlroy hasn't been making as many putts as some of his peers. Excessive bulking up may or may not effect touch, but the appearance of a gym physique obsession over making-putts obsession could eventually weigh on a player.

- McIlroy felt compelled to follow up with the number of sets and weights: "Re the squats it was the last set of 3x3 at 120kg(265lbs). Did 3x10 at 100kg(225lbs) before that. I'm 165lbs. I'm a golfer not body builder"

- This is hardly a new criticism of McIlroy and the idea that he needed to respond to Chamblee but not Faldo, Azinger or Chamblee (when he last made the same criticism) is peculiar. That he was cheered on by the millennial wing of the golf media for striking back probably speaks to an odd bond I can't quite comprehend.

McIlroy will be coming in the Northern Trust Open media center tomorrow, so perhaps he'll get asked about this.