McIlroy Does Well To Stay Patient After Frustrating Return With The Putter In Abu Dhabi.

Rory McIlroy did well to stay patient after a frustrating return to competition with the putter by birding two of his closing three holes on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

McIlroy needed 34 putts in a bogey-free three-under par 69 that left him trailing three shots behind European No. 1 and defending champion, Tommy Fleetwood and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara.

In fact, McIlroy stood over 17 putts for birdie and sank just three.

Fleetwood upstaged both playing partners in McIlroy and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson who had been sharing the lead early before signing off for a level par 72.

Five players share third place with rounds of 67 while Paul Dunne bounced back from last week’s EurAsia Cup disappointment to be among nine sharing eighth place at four-under.

Dunne, and out in the afternoon half of the draw, birdied his opening three holes.

Rory McIlroy hits into the 18th on day one 2018 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo – European Tour/Gettys)

McIlroy thankfully showed no signs of flinching and had no adhesive tape affixed to his back, as was the scenario a year ago in South Africa, but what he has gained in getting back to full fitness was spoilt by the shortest club in his bag.

“I sort of knew what I was expecting out there but at the same time, you never really know,” he said.

“It is my first competitive round in over a hundred days, so it’s a little bit different. But I did well. I stayed patient. I gave myself loads of chances and started the day with 11 straight pars, so I was trying to stay as patient as possible, so it was nice to birdie three of the last seven there and get in under 70.”

Sounds all bright and chirpy but with calls from those commentating on the round for SKY Sports TV suggesting the four-time Major winner should have a ‘professional’ caddy on the bag and not a friend so as to help him read his putts.

After an absence of 102 days it took McIlroy a frustrating 12 holes before his first birdie of the New Year.

His frustration over the front half was no more noticeable than at the par-5 18th hole and the ninth of his round where McIlroy sent his eagle putt from some 35-feet just off the green and then missed his birdie attempt coming back.

The current World No. 11 headed to the back nine following nine straight pars.

Pars followed at the first and second holes, or the 10th or the 11th of his round, when he finally McIlroy managed to break out in a smile when holing-out for a birdie ‘3’ at the 392-metre par-4 third hole and the 12th of his round.

McIlroy then capped the first round at the start of his 11th year in the pro ranks with birdies at this 16th and 17th holes.

“My expectation coming into this week was that I could win, but I think after the first day, seeing where my game’s at and playing alongside two of the most in-form players in the world right now, I feel like I’m not that far away,” McIlroy added.

Except, the current World No. 11 can ill-afford to be recording 34 putts every round.

Dunne also produced a bogey-free round and after his birdie ‘hat-trick’ start he posted six pars before a fourth birdie at his 11th hole and then ending with seven pars.

Graeme McDowell kick-started his new season with birdies at his opening two holes that sent him into a then share of the lead ahead of signing for two-under par 69,

McDowell arrived in the UAE capital sounding excited after spending the past three months or so working with a new trainer, Kevin Duffy and highly-recommended by his long-time coach, Peter Cowen.

And McDowell also has managed to find an extra five-metres off the tee thanks to a decision to remove three-degrees of loft from his driver.

Though McDowell’s group consisting also of visiting American Bryson de Chambeau and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat found themselves embroiled in a long conversation with a rules official after their round over a slow play issue.

However, all three were arguing it was the group ahead the cause of the delay in needing a ruling.



Comments are closed.