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Former world number one Rory McIlroy sits in fourth place in the latest official world golf rankings. The Northern Ireland man sandwiched below Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth, and just ahead of European Tour member and Open winner Henrik Stenson. Despite having won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in May the Holywood golfer last wins were in 2015 at the DP World Tour, WGC Cadillac Match Play and Omega Dubai Desert Classic the latter venue that gave him his first professional career win in 2009. The next came at Quail Hollow when he took his first PGA Title at the age of 21 and the first player since Tiger Woods to win on the PGA Tour at that tender age. The next season his ascent to top came when at Congressional he won his first major as the youngest player since Bobby Jones in 1923.
By 2014 McIlroy had four major titles to his credit and looked at emulating Woods winning record of 14 majors in his career. Two years hence the momentum seems to have wilted somewhat. And as Woods faces the inevitable reality of the sunset of his career, or at least never returning to the dominance he once held in the game, McIlroy faces his own battle to return to world number one. Also get back on the major trail that at one time looked a feat within his grasp to equal Tiger Woods. However, the past few years have generated some new names in those top ranks that have made those records much trickier for Rory. Or indeed holding the aspiration of winning the grand slam in one season almost seem impossible.
The arrival of Jordan Spieth started the turbulence in 2015 when the Texan won all around him only to see that momentum fade this year. The almost perennial nearly man Jason Day finally came good in 2015 despite some close calls prior. Failures that almost drove he Australian to consider giving up the game given his wilting self-belief. Fortunately for the game Day reversed all that at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights. The epic win followed by the Barclay and BMW Championship in the same season reviving confidence that led to the Aussie replacing Spieth as world Number 1 this year.
McIlroy’s tribulations are not unique as Spieth can vouch this season where his indestructible form has eked away. Not least at Augusta when leading the Masters, his defence of the title unravelled bizarrely at the twelfth hole after a string of bogeys already had reduced his lead. Not unlike McIlroy in 2011 the collapse was very public and uncomfortable for all concerned and a place from where Spieth has yet to emerge. In the case of McIlroy, he overcame it all within months when he clinched the US Open with a record score at Congressional. The context of which he built on to until his injury playing football with friends denied him the defence of The Open title he so convincingly seized at Hoylake in 2014.
His return this year to the event at Royal Troon only showed some sparks on the final day. But insufficient to even contend on the final day. Where another nearly man Henrik Stenson demolished championship course with a round of 63 on the final day when pin positions are usually deemed inaccessible. Particularly on the perilous back nine at Royal Troon. Even more admirable an achievement when being chased and pressed by Phil Mickelson. This year though McIlroy was not in that final race in this major, nor was he at Oakmont where he missed the cut and Irish interests were represented by Shane Lowry in the end. Or the Players Championship where he finished 12th.
An unlikely season for McIlroy and his quest for majors or indeed emulating Woods record all the more difficult. What Royal Troon has also shown that the hunger in the likes of Stenson has now been triggered, as it has for Dustin Johnson who for so many years was another nearly man. Indeed, in the top ten there are enough names to put the fear in anyone’s golf bag as each one could - on their day - destroy any field. Not to mention some of the younger talents racing up the field eager to earn their prize money and win these elusive major titles. Which for a number of years were littered with Irish names; Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, McIlroy and Darren Clarke. Currently that momentum has wavered. Albeit Lowry came very close last month in the US Open - suggesting his day is getting closer.
The shift in McIlroy’s putting grip in June highlighted some issues on his mind and shifting from his left hand grip back too conventional at Oakmont was a search for some improvements. The PGA Tour stats though show him 60 in the putting ranking and well behind the top three that included Day, Mickelson, Speith and even Jamie Donaldson. As numbers don’t lie it is clear that it is a part of McIlroy’s armoury which leaves him exposed on the course. Even with his number one place in drives there is a much better putting brigade hat are well ahead of him – no matter how easily he goes from tee to green.
In Scotland there were a significant number of missed putts that were coming from a talented golfer not convinced himself that he is on terms with his putter. So it needs urgent attention if this year is to see a major win given the PGA Championship at Baltrusol Golf Clubs is the last remaining event in that class. In fairness though the season thus far has one win, and with a top finish everywhere he has played - part for the US Open. Although all good results well below the expectations McIlroy would have set himself back in January.
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