Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy insists he’s prepared to miss the cut in 10 of his 22 tournaments a season if it means winning five times a year.
McIlroy heads into today’s (THUR) starting Honda Classic joint favourite with fellow ’20-something year old’ Rickie Fowler.
But then in McIlroy’s added favour is a fondness for the PGA National course where he reigned supreme in 2012 and lost out in a four-man play-off two years ago.
However, the current World No. 3 is coming off the back Sunday’s final round 75 that sent McIlroy tumbling to joint 20th in the Northern Trust Open in L.A.
Rory McIlroy (NIR) during the ProAm of the Honda Classic, PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. 24/02/2016.
Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey
All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Fran Caffrey)
But then McIlroy is prepared to accept a little mediocrity if it means a season such as 2014 when he captured a respective five tour titles and last year when he tasted success in four.
“I feel like the way I play, especially with the aggressiveness of my play, there are going to be times when it won’t always work out goof for me and I’ve accepted that,” he said.
“Golf for me is all about 22 weeks in a year.
“So if I were to have five wins in that run of 22 weeks but then also 10 missed cuts you have to be pretty happy.
“It’s pretty top-heavy for those few good weeks but then the thing is you only have good weeks when you don’t get tired or battered, so for a good player you have to anticipate winning four to five times a year
“Though that means you are losing 17 to 18 times a year, so if it means I have to miss a few cuts, and it’s only a few times a year, I will gladly take that.”
McIlroy will play the opening two rounds alongside defending champ and fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington.
Harrington remains confident of taking his place in the field despite having to withdraw with back spasms through three holes of yesterday’s (WED) Pro-Am.
Harrington headed straight to the Tour’s physio van for treatment but with those close to the Dubliner confident he will take his place in the $US 6.1m tournament.
