Portstewart, Northern Ireland …
Rory McIlroy admits next week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open now takes on more importance after he missed the cut for the fourth occasion in five years at the Irish Open.
In fact, McIlroy indicated he was “glad” he added the Dundonald Links event to his schedule after disappointing scores of 72 and 73 for a one over tally at Portstewart.
The World No. 4 was two under for his round with four holes to play but proceeded to bogey his 15th and then take double at the 17th.
McIlroy as defending Irish Open winner had missed the halfway cut two years in first hosting the event at Royal County Down and overall it is also fourth occasion in the past five years McIlroy will sit out the weekend rounds.
Rory McIlroy misses the Irish Open cut for a fourth occasion in five years.
He said: “My short game in general is not good as I am making silly mistakes, so it is not good.
“Today, I was four yards short of the green on 16 but then then managing to get it up-and-down from there from the middle of the fairway, so little stuff like that is so huge for momentum.
“I am just not being very efficient with my scoring and that is why I am making it difficult for myself.
“I just need to tidy up my short game a little bit while I feel pretty much my long game is there, and maybe I need to clean up my course management as at times I tried to go for pins when I shouldn’t have and paid the price”.
McIlroy struggled not only again struggled tee-to-green in hitting half of the 14 fairways but for a second day running he took 33 putts on the greens.
The four-time Major winner has not contested a Scottish Open since 2o14 when he shot a course record 64 on route to a share of 14th at Royal Aberdeen.
McIlroy had been due to tee up a year later at Gullane but was forced out with an ankle injury.
He said: “The Scottish does now take on more importance.
“I’d like to get a good tournament under my belt going into Birkdale and while every tournament is important to me coming up in this summer stretch.
“I haven’t played a lot and every time I go and play, I need to make the most of it.
“Unfortunately, the last three outings since coming back from injury hasn’t been quite that way.
“I just need to play a few more rounds and play a few more tournaments. I’m confident it will come together but just trying to stay as patient as possible at the minute.
“So, I am just happy I’ve got a tournament next week to play and I’m happy that I did add the Scottish.
“What is most disappointing thing is not being here for the weekend. It’s an important tournament to me and one I want to play well in. To see some of the guys that are up near the top of the leader-board, going to battle it out over the weekend; disappointing that I’m not going to be a part of that. That’s the disappointment right now.
“But just got to sort of dust myself off and practise over the weekend, and do some good work between now and next Thursday and get ready for the Scottish”.
Spanish sensation, Jon Rahm who was grouped with McIlroy for the opening two rounds, predicts it should not be long McIlroy bounces back even though with Rahm, and tied for the lead, staring now at the scenario of McIlroy presenting him with late Sunday with the trophy.
