Rory McIlroy was unhappy with the criticism (Image: Getty)
Golfers working out in the gym is not unusual nowadays, with many having rigid workout plans and employing personal trainers to keep them fit.
However, this has not always been the case, as will know all too well.
Some traditionalists in the world of golf believe that developing muscle is to the detriment of players and feel that they are being hindered by their mass when taking to the course.
McIlroy has never shied away from discussing his love for going to the gym and staying fit, which he was slammed for in 2016.
The Northern Ireland star posted videos of his lifting weights on social media, and a clip on Twitter – now known as X – caused quite the stir. Despite McIlroy showing no signs that his game was being impacted by his physique, questions were raised about whether he was harming his chances of success.
The conversation was even a talking point on Sky Sports, which proved one piece of criticism too many for McIlroy to remain quiet on. Instead, the 35-year-old issued a serious response on the matter, labelling the comments ‘unfair criticism’.
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— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory)
He said: “I think when people make judgments or criticisms without being educated on the subject that they’re criticising. That’s like for me getting in the gym, for example, that’s my pet peeve. Someone that says to me you’re in the gym too much.
“The reason I play at such a high level, and hopefully will continue to play at a high level for the next 10 to 15 years, is because of the work I do in the gym. If I wasn’t in the gym, I wouldn’t be sitting here today. It’s a big part of who I am, it’s a big part of my success. That’s always, I feel, an unfair criticism.
Rory McIlroy felt going to the gym was benefitting his golf (Image: Getty)
“But with my game, the critics and the analysts and everyone that are out there, they’re educated about golf, so they for the most part know what they’re talking about.
“A criticism of my golf game, I take it, and I know what I need to work on and sometimes those people point out the obvious but, I would say that’s the most unfair criticism I receive, is what I do at the gym.”
McIlroy has since stuck to his word and, although enduring a tough year, continued to compete at the very highest level and has been a ‘trend-setter’ of sorts, with other players now joining him in the gym to bulk up.