Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy’s putter disappoints, but prepared The Open

Rory McIlroy struggled on the greens all through the whole lot of the Genesis Scottish Open, however nonetheless managed to tie for fourth. He completed 4 again of Robert MacIntyre, the Scotsman he bested on this occasion final 12 months, though his putter let him down for many of the week.

Like McIlroy a 12 months in the past, MacIntyre birdied the 18th gap to win by one.

However the Northern Irishman couldn’t muster a Sunday cost this time round, primarily as a result of he couldn’t garner any momentum together with his flat stick. He ranked 63rd among the many 74 gamers who made the lower in strokes gained placing, shedding 1.493 strokes to the sector. He gave himself loads of alternatives, enjoying masterfully from tee to inexperienced once more, however he couldn’t get putts to drop when wanted.

“I had a number of possibilities that I wasn’t capable of convert, and that was type of the story of the week. It felt just like the ball-striking was there just about on daily basis,” McIlroy stated after his 2-under 68 on Sunday.

Picture by Ross Parker/SNS Group by way of Getty Pictures

“General, it was an excellent week to see the place my recreation is heading into subsequent week, particularly after three weeks off. Happy with the week with one eye on making an attempt to defend right here however clearly with an eye fixed on making an attempt to arrange for Troon as properly.”

Royal Troon will welcome the world’s greatest gamers for The Open Championship subsequent week, which is able to mark the ultimate main of the 12 months. In fact, McIlroy has not gained a serious title since 2014, when he gained the PGA Championship at Valhalla. He has come agonizingly shut a number of instances since then, with no defeat extra demoralizing than final month’s shut name at Pinehurst No. 2.

However McIlroy has stated that he has put that have behind him. His focus now could be on The Open after what he referred to as a “strong” week at The Renaissance Membership.

“I felt like I left a number of photographs on the market over the course of 4 days, however on the again of three weeks off, I assume to be anticipated. I prefer to play the week earlier than the majors to knock a little bit of rust off and attempt to get sharp, and I really feel like I’ve carried out that this week,” McIlroy stated.

“Felt like I used to be on the fringes of competition many of the week however nonetheless had a strong week the place I really feel like my ball-striking is in a great spot and getting adjusted to photographs I want across the greens, after which clearly the inexperienced speeds I’ve struggled with the final couple days. I attempted to get a deal with on that as properly.”

Maybe he can get a greater deal with of the greens at Royal Troon, the seaside course that final held The Open in 2016, when Henrik Stenson captured his first main title after an epic Sunday duel with Phil Mickelson.

McIlroy tied for fifth that week.

Picture by David Cannon/R&A/R&A by way of Getty Pictures

“I keep in mind it fairly properly. I believe simply getting an excellent technique on what I’m going to do off the tees, after which it’s in and across the greens. It’s the photographs that you simply want across the greens. You realize, the bunkers at Troon are very penal—I have to attempt to make use of a technique the place you may navigate your means round them,” McIlroy stated of Royal Troon.

“If I can get the putter to cooperate and get the pace of the greens down, extra so than hitting my strains, I really feel like I’m hitting my strains however extra so getting the pace of the greens, I really feel like I’ll be in a extremely great place.”

Certainly, his putter cooperating is a large if. It has proven up in huge moments, prefer it did over the primary 14 holes throughout this 12 months’s U.S. Open, however it has additionally folded beneath strain.

At any fee, links-style greens and Open Championship layouts are sometimes extra manageable than the speedy greens typically seen at U.S. Opens. Nevertheless it all comes right down to how McIlroy feels on them. If he’s rolling it with confidence, he can win anyplace, on any course, in opposition to anybody. But when the alternative rears its ugly head once more, McIlroy will once more be left to ask the dreaded query, “What if?”

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.