Rory McIlroy lauds Spanish legend’s ‘Houdini-like act’ of hitting golf balls

Rory McIlroy has shared that his dad, Gerry seems to be a fan of Seve Ballesteros. The four-time Major champion has revealed that his father, who coached and caddied for him in the past, was in awe of the Spanish golf legend’s game.

However, McIlroy doesn’t recall listening to any particular story about Ballesteros from his father. Interestingly, the Irishman thinks his father might’ve been attracted to the two-time Masters winner’s ‘style of play.’ The 35-year-old went on to laud the legendary golfer and his ‘Houdini-like act of hitting into trouble and getting out of trouble.’ He dubbed the Spaniard an ‘entertainer.’

He was replying to a media query on his dad and his love for Seve Ballesteros when he made the comments. Notably, the Irishman called Seve the “Arnold Palmer” of Europe.

Speaking ahead of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in UAE, Rory McIlroy said, as quoted by ASAP Sports:

“Seve’s almost like, not like a mythical character to me, but it was little bit before my time. But he was my dad’s favorite player… I think just the style of golf that Seve played is what he (his dad) was drawn to. So that swashbuckling, you know, almost Houdini-like act of hitting into trouble and getting out of trouble.

"But yeah, I think a lot of people were drawn to Seve. He was an entertainer. He played the game with a certain flair and style, and a little bit like Arnold Palmer before him in the States. Seve is to European golf is what Arnold Palmer was to golf in America, and I think that's what a lot of people gravitated towards.”

Rory McIlroy went on to laud Seve Ballesteros’ impact on golf in Europe. It is pertinent to note that the Northern Irishman is currently on track to equal the Spanish star’s tally of six DP World Tour Championship wins. He stated that having his career achievements stacked up against Seve’s career is ‘very cool.’

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Rory McIlroy calls LIV golfer his 'favorite'

Replying to another media query, Rory McIlroy named Sergio Garcia among other Spanish golfers that inspired him. The PGA Tour star said the LIV golfer’s early years, including his breakout second-place finish behind Tiger Woods at the ’99 PGA Championship, ‘inspired’ him. He said playing alongside the now-44-year-old on the Ryder Cup squad was a “dream come true.”

Rory McIlroy said in his presser:

“Yeah, when Sergio (Garcia) was coming through -- especially in the PGA in '99 at Medinah running up the fairway, Sergio was my favorite player for a lot of years. Sergio definitely inspired me. And then when I got to playing on tour and getting to play on Ryder Cup teams and stuff with him, it was a dream come true for me to play so closely and to partner with one of my favorite heroes growing up.”

McIlroy went on to laud the Spanish golf culture as well. He remembered his last appearance, at Finca Cortesin, in front of the Spanish crowd and expressed his wish to return to the country. He said he’d ‘love to go back and play The Spanish Open and The French Open.’ He also commented on LIV Golf’s yearly event in Valderrama and stated that he ‘unfortunately’ can’t play in that one.