By Steve Graf
The recent Masters golf tournament was a true test of will and determination by Rory McIlroy.
The entire tournament was a roller coaster ride of emotions, highs and lows, and wasted
opportunities. Rory, who came into the event as one of the favorites to win, had a history of
not fulfilling his dream of becoming a Masters champion.
But after 17 failed opportunities to win The Masters, he finally reached his goal of putting on
the green jacket which is given to everyone that wins The Masters.
Rory, as a kid, did not come from a privileged family with country club money. His family was
lower middle class, but his dad recognized at a very early age that Rory had a God-given talent
of how to hit a golf ball.
One day, a young Rory asked his dad if they could go hit some range balls. His dad, who lived
paycheck to paycheck, knew he only had one range token, which was good for 30 balls. So, he
told Rory to pretend he was at The Masters and to make every ball count, since his father could
not afford any more tokens until the following week when he got paid.
Rory has never forgotten all the sacrifices his family made in order for him to have a chance to
become one of the world’s greatest golfers. But on this year’s final round of The Masters and a
one-hole playoff with fellow European and friend Justin Rose, Rory’s emotions came to the
surface as he made a 4-foot birdie putt to win the most prestigious tournament in the world —
The Masters!
After making the most important putt of his life, Rory dropped to his knees and sobbed as all
the stress and pain of 17 failed opportunities to win this event came rushing to the surface.
Finally, he proved all the naysayers wrong. He would no longer have to answer media questions
on why he hadn’t won this event.
All of us at some point in our daily lives have had things hanging over our heads or that we have
carried around for years and never seem to overcome. It could be something as simple as
finding the perfect job or losing weight. Maybe it’s a bad habit that we’ve carried for years like
smoking.
No matter what our issue might be, there’s pretty much nothing each of us can’t overcome
with a little encouragement from family and friends, or in some cases, professional help. But
when that day finally arrives where we have conquered our demons, the relief from pressure
lifted off of us can be absolutely incredible!
Like Rory McIlroy winning The Masters after 17 tries, it’s important that we never quit. Just
keep fighting those demons each of us carry deep inside, and through perseverance and
determination, hopefully the day will come when we get to celebrate our own personal victory
and put on our own green jacket just like Rory McIlroy.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com