Robert Rock Archives - Golf Digest Middle East https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/tag/robert-rock/ Golf Instruction, Equipment, Courses, Travel, News Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:31:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/gd-favicon.ico Robert Rock Archives - Golf Digest Middle East https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/tag/robert-rock/ 32 32 Robert Rock is having newfound success on the European Tour—as a swing instructor https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/robert-rock-is-having-newfound-success-on-the-european-tour-as-a-swing-instructor/ https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/robert-rock-is-having-newfound-success-on-the-european-tour-as-a-swing-instructor/#respond Thu, 07 Nov 2019 05:17:14 +0000 https://golfdigestme.com/?p=30488 Robert Rock isn’t part of the 75-player field at the $7 million Turkish Airlines Open, the sixth of eight Rolex Series events on this season’s European Tour.

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]]> Robert Rock looks on during a practice round prior to the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)

By John Huggan
Robert Rock isn’t part of the 75-player field at the $7 million Turkish Airlines Open, the sixth of eight Rolex Series events on this season’s European Tour. But golf’s most famous head of hair is still to be found on and around the picturesque Montgomerie Maxx Royal course this week. Known also for the quality and efficiency of his full swing that at its best helped him knock off Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy down the stretch to win the 2012 Abu Dhabi Championship, “Rocky” has become a unique figure on the Old World circuit. Still exempt after finishing 108th on this season’s Race to Dubai, the 42-year-old Englishman doubles as one of the most sought-after swing coaches.

“I like to consider myself an old-style golf pro,” says Rock, a two-time European Tour winner. “I’ve always taught people. I started as a club pro and never really thought I’d be playing tournaments. So I’m just returning to that, an area of the game I’ve always enjoyed and where I feel like I can make a contribution.”

Rock’s most high-profile client so far has been rising English star Matt Wallace, No. 28 in the World Ranking, but that might change. Ten-time European Ryder Cup player Lee Westwood is the latest recruit to a growing stable that numbers nearly two dozen.

“Rocky and I have grown a lot together,” Wallace says. “I love the way he teaches. And I love the stuff he tells me that has nothing to do with the swing. When I played with Tiger at the Open this year, [Rock] gave me so much great advice about how to handle that. He has taken me to the next level, really. When he tells me what will work under pressure, he really knows. And he can get inside my head better than someone who is just a swing coach.”

Rock watches Matt Wallace, one of more than 20 golfers he has begun working with as a swing instructor. (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Part-time psychologist Rock may be, but his main focus is on the full swing. It is a subject in which he is well-versed.

“It’s nice to be known for my swing,” Rock says. “I’ve worked hard on it. I have always tried to eliminate extraneous movement. I like efficiency. I’m not a naturally good golfer, so I’ve learned the game bit by bit, eliminating the problem bits in my swing and the bad shots along the way. I’ve had to do it that way. I’ve never been a great putter. You can’t afford too many sloppy shots if you are not making too many putts.”

Interestingly, Rock’s coaching career started with two Ladies European Tour players, Amy Boulden and Kelsey MacDonald. European Tour player Oliver Wilson was next, the former Ryder Cupper coming to Rock in 2014 and winning the Dunhill Links Championship almost immediately. These days, the players Rock works with (alongside two associates) include Pablo Larrazabal, Nino Bertasio, Matthias Schwab, Wade Ormsby, Jason Scrivener, Thomas Bjorn and Bradley Dredge.

That list contains a wide and diverse range of actions, proof enough that Rock has never been tempted to create swings and players in his image. He retains a somewhat old-fashioned approach to his second job.

“Aesthetics are not that important to me,” Rock says. “A really good swing tends to look quite nice, but it doesn’t have to. If you are careful and organize the bits that matter, you can make just about anything work. Plus, I don’t want to be the sort of coach that uses endless devices to help a player. TrackMan doesn’t have ears, which is why I like to work out what players are doing. I like to watch. I like to listen to the strike. I like to make sure shots sound as if they are coming off the club properly. That is something that only comes after years of paying attention. OK, shots often look similar. But if they don’t sound crisp, the player isn’t going to be too consistent, especially under pressure.”

What Wallace also appreciates about working with Rock is that he doesn’t necessarily take himself too seriously. “He’s older than me. He’s uglier than me. But he does have great hair,” Wallace jokes. “I can’t imagine what he has lost in hat endorsements.”

As for his playing career going forward, Rock is sanguine but realistic. He recognizes that the potential “black hole” that can engulf so many in their mid-40s—no longer competitive on the regular tour, too young for the senior circuit—is getting closer.

“I’m going to play as long as I am exempt,” Rock said. “This year I’ve played 20 events. I’ll do the same next year. As I’m going to be on tour anyway, I might as well play. That actually helps me help my guys. I can relate exactly to what they are seeing and doing, which is not to say many players couldn’t do what I am doing. Guys out here know more than they think they know. But people get a little bit scared by coaching. They think you have to know loads—and I suppose you do—but I can think of plenty who would have a lot to offer as coaches even as they are still playing. Right now, though, I’m the only one.”

 

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]]> https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/robert-rock-is-having-newfound-success-on-the-european-tour-as-a-swing-instructor/feed/ 0 Rock on a roll as Cabrera Bello roars into contention at Dubai Duty Free Irish Open https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/rock-on-a-roll-as-cabrera-bello-roars-into-contention-at-dubai-duty-free-irish-open/ https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/rock-on-a-roll-as-cabrera-bello-roars-into-contention-at-dubai-duty-free-irish-open/#respond Sun, 07 Jul 2019 06:59:42 +0000 https://golfdigestme.com/?p=27506 Robert Rock settled for a place in history and a decent shot at his first European Tour title since winning in Abu Dhabi seven years ago after going agonisingly close to shooting 59 to headline the penultimate day of the $7 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

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]]> Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Rock reacts to his birdie putt on the 18th hole on Saturday at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch Golf Club on July 06, 2019 in Lahinch, Ireland.

By Kent Gray
Robert Rock settled for a place in history and a decent shot at his first European Tour title since winning in Abu Dhabi seven years ago after going agonisingly close to shooting 59 to headline the penultimate day of the $7 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

A stunning 10-under 60 on moving day at Lahinch Golf Club will see the 42-year-old Englishman take a one-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round over Eddie Pepperell and Dubai-domiciled Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Rock will be aiming to collect the Irish Open’s winner’s cheque (all €1.16 million of it in 2019) for the second time but also wants the trophy; he won the money in 2009 but infamously lost the title in 2009 in a playoff to then amateur Shane Lowry.

Saturday was another glorious case of so close and yet so far for Rock who birdied his final six holes and had a 35-foot putt for eagle on the last but missed by inches on the low side to be denied just the second 59 in European Tour history.

You can check out the agony here:

Incredibly, Rock’s caddie Gary Tilston is the twin brother of Guy Tilston, who was on Oliver Fisher’s bag when the Englishman created history with the European Tours first 59 at last season’s Portugal Masters.

Thankfully Rock did have something to show for his 60; it was the lowest round in the 127-year history of the Irish Open, matched Brandon Stone’s record for the lowest round in the Rolex Series and better Rock’s career-best by three strokes.

Check out the full highlights reel from the European Tour here:

“That’s the first chance I’ve had to do it,” Rock said of the 59 watch. “It’s disappointing not to but 60 is a great score. It’s my best score.

“I played rubbish so far this year, so just delighted to play better. It is a good opportunity, it’s an opportunity to get my season back on track, to try to qualify for The Open and maybe have a chance to win a tournament again, which would be lovely because it’s been a long while.

“Any time you’ve got a chance to win a tournament like the Irish Open or Scottish Open, it really means something, it gives me a little extra focus. It’s hard to say it makes you play great because you can’t force that but it’s a great tournament and the people are amazing. I think the quality of the golf course is just fun to play.”

Rock is chasing his third European Tour title. He captured the 2011 Italian Open but is best remembered for holding off final-round playing partner Tiger Woods to win the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, eventually by a stroke from then-reigning U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy.

A shot back after more than a month out with a back injury, Pepperell continues to surprise himself after rounds of 65-67-66 to be a shot back of Rock. Much Middle East interest on Sunday will be centred on the popular Cabrera Bello who roared into contention with a Saturday 63 to draw level with Pepperell on -12. Zander Lombard, the 36-hole leader, is a shot further back.

The last of Cabrera Bello’s three European Tour titles was also a links win at the 2017 Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. 

Given the low scoring all week at Lahinch, even the players six strokes off the lead will fancy their chances on Sunday. Among them is unheralded Irishman Robin Dawson who had a special supporter following him during his third round 64. Check it out:

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