Rory McIlroy found himself struggling not only with an identity crisis but again with the putter on the opening day of the WGC – Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral in Miami.
First, McIlroy’s caddy was handed his bib with his name spelt ‘McLLROY’ and it also was the same spelling on the board being carried by the walking scorer.
It’s not the first time the four-time Major winner has seen his name spelt wrongly as back in 2007 and when handed his GB & I Walker Cup team bag, as his name was also spelt ‘MCLLROY’ and with his caddy at the time blackening out the lower part of the first ‘L’.
It wasn’t to the 16th hole, or the seventh of McIlroy’s round, event organisers sorted out the blunder but then it had not disturbed McIlroy who one a hole away from moving to three under par.
However three under par proved the high water mark of McIlroy’s challenge around the ‘Blue Monster’, as he eventually double bogeyed the last and headed to the scorer’s hut clearly dejected and sign for a one under par 71.
Rory McIlroy’s name spelt wrongly on day one of the Cadillac Championship
As well, McIlroy’s new-found and much-publicised putting grip saw him record 33 putts.
It left the current World No. 3 trailing five shots behind the leading duo of Australia’s Marcus Fraser, winner of the recent Malaysian Championship, and American Scott Piercy.
If there was any comfort for McIlroy, and given his subdued post-round tone, it is he only trails World No. 1 Jordan Spieth by two shots heading to the second round in the $US 10m event while he’s a shot clear of World No. 1 Jason Day.
“Tee-to-green was pretty good but then it’s always disappointing to any round with a double bogey,” McIlroy said.
“My speed on the greens wasn’t too good and I was leaving a lot of putts short.
“I guess that was to be expected as it’s the first day playing competitively using the new grip.
“But I felt it was pretty good but then it’s tiny margins and when you’re playing well, you’re sharp and you’re really on your game, you don’t make mistakes.
“Right not, I’m struggling with that part of my game and I just need to tidy it up.”
