Rory at Torrey! Why You Should Go & See Him

For the first time ever, something is going to happen at the Farmers Insurance Open that I have been wishing would happen for YEARS! 

Four time major winner Rory McIlroy is coming to San Diego to play Torrey Pines. This will be the first time he has ever entered the event, and I couldn't be more excited. 

For the first time in tournament history, @McIlroyRory will be playing at Torrey for #FIO19 ---- pic.twitter.com/mrZbe9TJ3f

As a golf nerd, I will not be missing my chance to see Rory McIlroy in person. 

Part of what I love about golf is it's one of the only sports where you can play on the same grounds that the pros play. You can try to make the same shots you saw on TV, to see how difficult it really is. It's the only sport I can play that will allow me to experience what the pros experience. I will never be able to play in an NFL stadium, or MLB stadium, but I am able to play the same course that Tiger Woods has played.

Back to the nerd part. The reason I am so excited to see Rory, is to see his swing. I have heard for years on TV from analysts talking about how great his swing is. I've heard it described as “velvety” by golf analyst David Feherty. CBS golf analyst Nick Faldo has said many times he thinks Rory's swing is the best on tour. 

In 2018, Rory was the #1 ranked player for driving distance on tour with an average drive of 319.7 yards. That's impressive, but what makes it even more impressive is that he is 5’10” (I've heard actual height is 5’8”) and only weighs 160 pounds (according to PGAtour.com). 

374. --377. --???. ----@McIlroyRory's top drives at Quail Hollow. pic.twitter.com/xrRdJFMLVp

I'm 6’ (some sources say 5’11”) and around 240 pounds (I've said my weight on the show a couple times, but writing it makes it too real) and have an average drive of 255-270 yards. Granted I'm not a pro, but it shows you how difficult it is to hit the ball that far. 

If you’ve never been to a pro golf tournament, you don’t know what it’s like to see these guys hit the ball in person. It’s a whole different world. Every shot looks perfect, and you quickly realize why these guys are on TV and you are not. The sounds, the distances, the circus shots, it’s all part of the show of seeing golf in person. 

Ok, I’ve nerded out enough. 

In case you didn't know, the Farmers Insurance Open is one of the best regular season tour stops on the schedule. Many of the world's best play in the tournament including Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, and more. Tiger Woods usually plays this event, but has not committed, which is a big surprise to some in the golf world. 

Back to Rory. 

What would make a Top 10 golfer in the world commit to an event on the opposite coast of where he lives, a week before the event? It's simple. The 2021 US Open, which will return to Torrey Pines. 

It's a unique situation that Rory just can't pass up. Not many US Opens are played at regular tour stops, and the PGA Tour has said in the past they don't like that a course could be played in the regular season, and then a few months later in a major.

It will happen this year when Pebble Beach will host its regular tour stop, then the US Open in June. And then again in 2021. 

This is a perfect chance for Rory to get in practice for the 2021 US Open and check one of his season requirements off the list. All PGA Tour players have to add a new tournament to their schedule each year. With Rory announcing he will only be playing domestically this year, this makes a lot of sense. And it’s awesome for golf fans in San Diego.