Sir Nick Faldo questions Rory McIlroy as star gives in-play Masters interview

08 April 2023 , 11:57

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Rory McIlroy has been criticised for using in-play interviews after looking likely to miss the cut at Augusta International (Image: AP)

Golf star Sir Nick Faldo has questioned Rory McIlroy's use of in-play interviews after being the first star to use the technology at the Masters.

McIlroy was filmed giving a live in-play interview after hitting his approach shot onto the green on the ninth hole. The golf star was using an earpiece and was asked by the commentator: "What do you think? What's your impression?"

The Northern Irishman replied: "I eased off a little bit on it I think. In the back of my mind you don't want to go long at this pin." A video of the interview was posted on Twitter by Golf Monthly and has sparked some debut.

Faldo won the Masters three times and voiced his opinion against the in-play interviews.

He tweeted: "Every interview I’ve done this week is all about giving 100% concentration to yourself and the task at hand, so why?"

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However, former England cricketer Stuart Broad had a different take on the interview and praised McIlroy for helping to grow the game. He added: "It grows the game of golf and fantastic insight. Rory has achieved so much maybe getting people interested in golf is more important to him now than sole focus on winning? This ‘behind closed doors’ exposure has grown F1 massively."

Sir Nick Faldo has been critical of Rory McIlroy's use of in-play interviews (Getty Images)

McIlroy also used the in-play microphone to give his views during the WGC-Match Play last month which he finished in third.

The four-time major winner said the earpiece didn't impact his rhythm.

He said: "I did it a couple weeks ago at the Match Play. It definitely feels a little less intrusive with the ear piece rather than someone right up next to you with the microphone like they've been doing it in Europe for a couple of years.

Rory McIlroy thought using in-play interviews would be a 'cool thing to do'

"I thought it would be a cool thing to do. I did it in Austin and didn't feel like it took me out of my rhythm in any way or made me think about things too much. So it's nice to provide the audience at home a little bit more insight into what's going on out here.”

However, McIlroy looks set to miss the cut at Augusta National after his first round of par was followed by a second of five-over par.

Benjamin Goddard