It's five years since Rory McIlroy started working with trainer Steve McGregor. In that time, he has won four majors and risen to number one in the world rankings (though he is currently at number three).
A gym routine has become essential for McIlroy and is something which he counts as a major factor in his improvement as a golfer.
My posture was terrible when I started. To have a better posture, to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chest out, it even just gives off the air of confidence.
For me it's a necessity. It's what I need to do. I feel like getting in here gives me the best possible chance to go out on the golf course and perform to the best of my ability.
So, when golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee suggested he felt an unease regarding McIlroy's gym regime given the effect which some believe time lifting weights had on Tiger Woods', the Northern Irishman was quick to shut down any questions regarding his health.
I say it with a lot of trepidation, because it’s a different era for sure and I don’t know the full extent of what he’s doing, but when I see the things he’s doing in the gym, I think of what happened to Tiger Woods. And I think more than anything of what Tiger Woods did early in his career with his game was just an example of how good a human being can be, what he did towards the middle and end of his career is an example to be wary of. That’s just my opinion. And it does give me a little concern when I see the extensive weightlifting that Rory is doing in the gym.
Thus far, there’s been no signs that it’s adversely affected his game.
In response to an article highlighting Chamblee's comments, McIlroy first responded with a video of him doing squats.
@GolfChannel @chambleebrandel pic.twitter.com/tz7lSH7Z6k
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) February 16, 2016
He then explained that in the video, he was doing the final set of 3x3 squats of 120kg.
He also directed his is not the workout of a bodybuilder but a 165lb golfer.
Re the squats it was the last set of 3x3 at 120kg(265lbs). Did 3x10 at 100kg(225lbs) before that. I'm 165lbs. I'm a golfer not body builder
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) February 17, 2016
Picture credit: Sportsfile
