Ryan Ruffels the next big thing, says Rory McIlroy
RYAN Ruffels was nervous about playing alongside Rory McIlroy until the Irishman floored him with a compliment.
“He said: ‘you’re like me, just nine years younger’. Which is pretty cool,” Ruffels said. “I wouldn’t mind being like him.”
According to good judges – and the form of a practice round at Royal Sydney yesterday – Ruffels may end up being a lot like golfing superstar McIlroy, who is in town for the Australian Open this week.
Ruffels, a 15-year-old Aussie prodigy, will play in the tournament as a wildcard and yesterday warmed up with McIlroy on the tricky Rose Bay course. It was the second mind-blowing experience in seven days for the son of former Aussie tennis star Ray Ruffels, after the teenager played a similar round with Adam Scott last week in Melbourne.
‘To see these guys on TV and then actually get to play with them, it’s pretty cool to see where I’m at compared to them,” Ruffels said. “It definitely solidifies it that I want to play like they do.” Many believe Ruffels is firmly on the path already. Rated the hottest young talent in Australia, the year 10 student spent his time with Scott and McIlroy soaking up as much advice as possible about how to reach the summit in world golf.
Click here for full golf story and golf news source Ryan Ruffels the next big thing, says Rory McIlroy
Leave a Reply