Unless you’ve been living on some other planet for the past three months, you’ll be well aware of Rory McIlroy’s putting problems.
In a year which has so far seen the European No1 fail to win a PGA tour event, McIlroy has ranked 156 out of 199 on tour for total putting stats. What does this mean? Well, his putting has been crap. Simple as. He knows it. We know it. Nobody is in denial about it anymore.
Many people have put his poor form on the green down to his use of the Nike Method putter which he’s had in his bag for the last couple of years, reminiscing on the days when he putted so beautifully with his Scotty Cameron earlier in his career. I can only imagine the excitement they must have felt on Thursday when they saw him walk on to the first tee with that Scotty in his bag for the first time in nearly four years.
Well, those people should by now have realised that this theory is nothing more than Grade-A bollixology.
McIlroy more than confirmed yesterday that his problems on the green are down to either his mental issues, an inconsistent stroke or a combination of both.
Starting on the back-9 yesterday, Rory suffered back to back bogeys at 15 & 16 before pulling them back in his closing holes. He currently lies 5 back from Patrick Reed who leads on -5, but McIlroy’s opening 71 isn’t likely to do much for his confidence.
He finished his round with a depressing -2.304 strokes gained from putting and had several misses from close range. With just three putts out of eight from the 4-8 foot range dropping, the stats speak for themselves. It might be time for McIlroy to find himself a putting coach.
Currently one of the only players on tour without a short-game coach, McIlroy’s troubles on the green don’t seem to be something which he can fix himself. Although he’s always stated that he prefers to practice alone with mirrors to help with his alignment, some help from former coach Dave Stockton must be the only feasible step to take at this point.
On Tuesday, McIlroy also said he’s going to be patient switching equipment companies in the wake of Nike Golf exiting the golf club business.
“No reason to start changing just because I can. I’m comfortable with everything,” McIlroy said. “I’ve got them to save me three years’ worth of golf balls, so at least I’ve got a golf ball that I like and that I know that I can play well with.
This should also include using a Scotty for the foreseeable future. But his putting will have to be much improved if he wants to have any chance of challenging this weekend.
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