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

Rory McIlroy struggled on the greens all through the whole thing 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, regardless that his putter let him down for a lot 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 sphere. He gave himself loads of alternatives, taking part in masterfully from tee to inexperienced once more, however he couldn’t get putts to drop when wanted.

“I had numerous probabilities that I wasn’t in a position to convert, and that was form of the story of the week. It felt just like the ball-striking was there just about on daily basis,” McIlroy mentioned after his 2-under 68 on Sunday.

Picture by Ross Parker/SNS Group through Getty Pictures

“Total, it was week to see the place my sport is heading into subsequent week, particularly after three weeks off. Happy with the week with one eye on attempting to defend right here however clearly with an eye fixed on attempting to organize for Troon as nicely.”

Royal Troon will welcome the world’s greatest gamers for The Open Championship subsequent week, which can mark the ultimate main of the 12 months. After all, McIlroy has not gained a significant 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 mentioned that he has put that have behind him. His focus now could be on The Open after what he known as a “stable” week at The Renaissance Membership.

“I felt like I left numerous 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 finished that this week,” McIlroy mentioned.

“Felt like I used to be on the fringes of rivalry a lot of the week however nonetheless had a stable week the place I really feel like my ball-striking is in a great spot and getting adjusted to photographs I would like 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 nicely.”

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 through Getty Pictures

“I keep in mind it fairly nicely. I feel simply getting 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. , the bunkers at Troon are very penal—I have to attempt to make use of a technique the place you’ll be able to navigate your approach round them,” McIlroy mentioned of Royal Troon.

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

Certainly, his putter cooperating is an enormous if. It has proven up in huge moments, prefer it did over the primary 14 holes throughout this 12 months’s U.S. Open, but it surely has additionally folded beneath stress.

At any charge, links-style greens and Open Championship layouts are usually extra manageable than the speedy greens usually seen at U.S. Opens. But it surely all comes all the way 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 other 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 Via. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.