4/07/2016

McIlroy Heads One Direction at Augusta

Niall Horan
Niall Horan
It's a year since One Direction star Niall Horan took a tumble as he caddied for Rory McIlroy at the annual Masters Par 3 Contest.

Most players treat the contest as light relief and invite family or friends to act as their caddies, and Horan's blossoming friendship with McIlroy resulted in the singer being asked to caddie for the then world No 1 at Augusta.

Horan certainly was not the first caddie to find the hazard when given the chance to tee it up at the final hole, but worse was to come as he slipped on the pine straw just as the pair were about to be interviewed by Kirsty Gallacher.

But despite his stumble, Horan admitted it was an enjoyable experience.

"It's just great to be at Augusta," Horan told Sky Sports 4. "I knew about a year ago I had the time off to come to the Masters. Then I met this man (McIlroy) and he asked me, 'did I want to carry the bag on Wednesday?' Of course, if the world No 1 asks you to carry his bag, you carry it!"

On getting to play in front of a large crowd, he added: "I can't say I've been that nervous in a long time! It was tough, but it was alright! It's great to be around Rory. It's a big week for him and hopefully come Sunday he'll have a green jacket on his back."

McIlroy added: "The deal was if I made him hit a shot here, they're playing in Boston when I'm there at the end of summer and I'll have to go up on stage and maybe sing a few lines, so (I'm) not looking forward to that!

"It has been a great afternoon and he’s a great sport for doing it."

Veteran McCluskey Caddies for GMAC

GMAC
GMAC and Kevn McCluskey
US Army veteran Kevin McCluskey caddies for Graeme McDowell in the Par 3 event at the Masters eight years after having both legs blown off in Afghanistan and also losing all sight in his right eye.

McCluskey, who is from Philadelphia and served with the 101 Airborne Division in Afghanistan, said that he had been left "speechless" by McDowell's offer.

2010 US Open champion McDowell, whose two-under-par total left him six behind winner Jimmy Walker in the Par Three event, said that McCluskey's battles "puts life and golf in perspective".

"I hit a roadside bomb. I lost both my legs. One above the knee and one below the knee. I have a fake hip and a fake pelvis," said the US Army veteran.

"I lost a lot of motion in my wrist but I'm getting it back to normal now.

"I had shrapnel go through my face so I'm blind in my right eye but other than that I'm good. My mind is good.

"I've a beautiful family, a beautiful wife and many friends at home. Everybody has just helped me get back to where I need to be."


Player Sparked McIlroy Improved Fitness

McIlroy
Rory McIlroy - Getty Images
Nine-time major winner Gary Player has revealed he sparked Rory McIlroy's improved fitness by telling the Northern Irishman he was carrying too much weight.

World No 3 McIlroy, bidding to complete a career grand slam by claiming a first Masters title this week, has said he tries to follow the "fine example" set by the 80-year-old South African, who is a pioneer of diet, health and fitness.

Player did not mince his words when advising the Ryder Cup star a few years ago.

He told McIlroy, according to the Daily Mail: "You need to get fit Rory, look at that weight you're carrying. You need to strengthen your core."

McIlroy was then invited by Player to punch him in the stomach, and was shocked when - after a couple of tentative attempts - he landed a harder blow on the veteran, admitting: "It's like punching a wall. You're right, I do need to get fitter."

Player expects the 26-year-old's new gym-honed physique to serve him well in his future career.