Rory McIlroy’s talent is evident as Sky Sports commentators hit back at criticism

Rory McIlroy has been experiencing a challenging period in recent months, with his last tournament win dating back to the Wells Fargo Championship in May. However, despite his struggles on the course, McIlroy continues to be a major draw for TV audiences.

Sky Sports commentators Andrew Coltart and Laura Davies recently defended the network’s decision to provide extensive coverage of McIlroy, even during tournaments where his performance hasn’t been at its best. Speaking during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where McIlroy finished tied for 25th with a score of -4, both pundits emphasized that the Northern Irish golfer remains a fan favorite, commanding significant viewer interest.

This year, McIlroy has managed just two victories on the PGA Tour—the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April, where he teamed up with Shane Lowry, and the Wells Fargo Championship in May. He began the year with a win on the DP World Tour, taking the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January, but these three victories fall short of the heights McIlroy reached during his peak years.

What’s particularly striking is that McIlroy has now gone a decade without a major championship win, his last coming at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Despite this, his television coverage remains robust, a fact that has puzzled some fans, especially considering his recent form.

However, as reported by The Mirror, both Coltart and Davies were quick to point out that McIlroy still “moves the needle” when it comes to attracting viewers. They highlighted how McIlroy’s following at the Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday far surpassed the crowds watching the intense competition between Tyrrell Hatton and Nicolas Colsaerts, who were battling for the championship.

“I can’t help but notice the crowd,” said Coltart. “If anyone wonders who still moves the needle, it’s Rory McIlroy. He’s out of contention in this tournament, yet the whole crowd is following him instead of watching the incredibly talented Tyrrell Hatton, who’s in the running for his third win in this event. What does that tell you?”

Davies echoed this sentiment, adding: “We get criticized for talking about Rory McIlroy too much, but this just proves what people want to see. The crowds show it.”

While McIlroy’s performance didn’t land him in the top spots, the tournament’s climax offered a dramatic finish. Tyrrell Hatton secured his third Alfred Dunhill Links Championship victory in a thrilling showdown with Nicolas Colsaerts. Both players were tied at -23 heading into the 18th hole, but Hatton managed to sink a birdie while Colsaerts could only make par, giving Hatton the win with a -24 total score.

McIlroy, despite posting under-par scores in all four rounds, was unable to gain enough momentum to break into the upper ranks of the leaderboard. He finished tied for 25th, alongside notable players like Padraig Harrington, Robert MacIntyre, and Scott Jamieson.

As McIlroy looks ahead, he’ll be hoping to bounce back at his next challenge, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which is scheduled for next month. At 35 years old, the golfer will be eager to reignite the form that made him one of the sport’s most dominant figures.