McIlroy slams 'forgetful' Faldo for questioning dedication to golf

Former World No.1 Rory McIlroy has slammed English golf ace Nick Faldo by saying that he had forgotten how hard top golfers work, ahead of the Open Championship at Muirfield on Thursday.

According to the Mirror, Faldo, often touted as Britain's greatest ever golfer, had said that McIlroy should 'concentrate on golf' and go to the practice range from nine to five to hit golf balls given that he has not won this year after changing to Nike clubs.

Hitting back at Faldo, the Northern Irish golfer said that the Brit should be aware of how hard golf is at times as he had been in the same position as McIlroy, adding that he should know how much work that they all do put into it.

The US PGA champion and World No.2 further said that he arrived at the range at 6.15am, and got out of the gym at 6.15pm, doing a 12-hour shift, as compared to the six-time Major winner's eight-hour day.

However, McIlroy has expressed his gratitude to golf's reigning champion Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, one of his playing partners at Muirfield, for backing him, saying that Woods and Mickelson are aware of the problems surrounding a golfer as they are still playing, in a hit at Faldo's age and career.

Praising Woods, McIlroy further said that more than anyone else in golf or even sports, Woods has been scrutinised and criticised throughout his entire career, adding that even though he had dropped outside the top 50 in the world only a few years back, he has managed to work his back up to the top of the rungs as he has a plan in place.

According to McIlroy, people like Faldo, who won his second Open in 1992 at Muirfield, have forgotten in a short space of time how hard players have to work and how tough this game can be.

Although McIlroy admitted that he is still in a 'transition period', he however, insisted that he was right to change his clubs and ball at the same time, saying that he does not mind playing his best game for six months as it will be a minor sacrifice to attain success in a 30-year career.

McIlroy, who won five titles last season, including the US PGA and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai , while also starring in the Miracle in Medinah, has added a new 'pear-shape' driver to his bag this week to stop his shots going to the right, the report added.