McIlroy hits back at Castle Stuart criticism

Rory McIlroy has responded to criticism from the general manager of Castle Stuart Golf Links over his decision to skip the Scottish Open between 2011 and 2013 when it was staged at the Inverness-shire venue.

McIlroy, 25, played in last week’s tournament at Royal Aberdeen, his first time in the field since 2010. That, of course, was the final year that it was staged at Loch Lomond, before taking up residency for three seasons at Castle Stuart.

The two-time major winner chose to skip those events, remarking that the Mark Parsinen course is not a ‘true links test’.

Those comments clearly irked Stuart McColm, the GM of Castle Stuart. Announcing the tournament’s return to the Highlands in 2016, McColm was asked if he was concerned that top players, like McIlroy, might be inclined to skip it again.

“The disappointment for me is that Rory has never been,” said McColm. “I don’t know how he can say something about a golf course he has never seen.

“It’s just not a true links course. I mean, how long has it been there? Five years?” – Rory McIlroy

“Why doesn’t he come up there and play it before making up his mind?”

However, responding to McColm’s comments after his final round at Roual Aberdeen yesterday, McIlroy stood his ground.

“It’s not that Castle Stuart is too easy,” the former world No.1 told bunkered.co.uk. “It’s just not a true links course. I mean, how long has it been there? Five years? Well, Royal Aberdeen has been there for hundreds, so it’s a bit different.”

Asked if he would take McColm up on his offer to play the course, he added: “We’ll see what happens. It’s a couple of years away yet, so we’ll see.”

Rory McIlroy & Castle Stuart

Is Rory McIlroy right to skip the Scottish Open in the years that the tournament takes place at Castle Stuart? Or do you agree with Stuart McColm that he should play the course before making up his mind about it? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor