On the eve of the 142nd Open Championship and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy played down his indifferent six months this season declaring: “I’ve had a poor six months, I’m fine, I have good life and it doesn’t bother me.”
McIlroy was speaking ahead of his sixth straight Open appearance since winning the Low Amateur award on his debut in 2007 at Carnoustie.
But while McIlroy has since won two Majors and captured 11 other events around the globe, the current World No. 2 has not tasted success since birding the closing five holes to win last year’s European Tour season-ending DP Tour World Championship in Dubai.
He returned to the Middle East some six weeks later to confirm the worst kept secret in golf and a reputed $225m deal with Nike. However the various crimson-coloured drivers that McIlroy has been using in the past months have only left him red-faced
When a picture can tell a thousand words – Rory McIlroy looking to end a seven month winless drought. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
McIlroy added to the opening comments of this story adding: “I’m working hard. I feel like I’m working on the right things. And sooner or later it will turn around and I’ll be back lifting trophies.”
And when asked if he had sought any counsel or even talked to Tiger Woods about the downturn in his game McIlroy said: “I guess the best way is to not to read too much or not to listen too much or not watch too much TV.
“Especially not about yourself. I think that’s the best thing, to try and stay oblivious about what people are saying about you, in particular, try and wrap yourself in a little bubble.
“But obviously it’s hard to avoid at times. You just have to have that confidence and the self belief in yourself that you’re doing the right things and know that what you’re doing is ultimately going to get you in that place again where you want to be.”
RORY MCILROY OPEN FACTFILE:
Number of Open appearances – 5
Number of rounds – 20
Scoring average – 71.60
Relation to par – +20
Top three finishes – one (2010)
Top 10 finishes – one (2010)
Rounds in the 60s – 7
Rounds under par – 7
Rounds at level par – 0
Rounds over par – 13
Lowest Score – 63 (First round 2010)
Highest score – 80 (Second round 2010)
Highest Open prize cheque – $US 394,237 (2010)
Best average driving distance in Open – 317.1 yards (2010 – ranked 12th overall)
Best greens in regulation in Open – 61 (2010 – ranked second overall)
Least number of putts – 119 (2012 – ranked 51st overall)
