It’s taken an agonising nine months or so brushing off criticism of his multi-million dollar switch to Nike but Rory McIlroy has finally sounded a warning to his rivals by declaring he’s found the best driver and ball combination of his career.
Just four days after an equal best finish in 11 months and McIlroy was among just 11 players managing to break par on day one of the BMW Masters on a windswept Lake Malaren course in Shanghai.
Rory McIlroy lets one rip off the 15th tee and on route to a round of 71 on day one of the 2013 BMW Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
McIlroy’s one under par 70 had him lying six shots behind tearaway American Luke Guthrie who was afforded an invitation and had just 19 putts that was one shy of a European Tour record.
Former Open champ, John Daly ended a four-month absent after right elbow surgery, to be second with a 68.
McIlroy has spent of the season being as crimson faced as his Nike driver but with yet a newer long stick and a newer golf ball, the current World No 6 believes he’s finally cracked a club-and-ball combination.
“The driver I’m now using and the new Nike ball I’m hitting I think is the best driver and ball combination I’ve ever had in my career,” said McIlroy.
“I’m hitting the highest ball speed ever that’s average 180 mph and this is the first year in my career I’ve got into the 180s in ball speed, and this new driver has upped that again and with the new ball being softer around the greens.
“I first tested the new ball at the Bridgestone Invitational and they gave me a couple of dozen to hit at a Nike shoot in L. A. on the Monday after the Tour Championship, so I brought a couple of dozen home with me.
“But then the most comforting thing for me stepping onto a first tee is that I am swinging the club well again, at last. That’s more comforting than anything else.
“It means that I won’t have to spend any time over the Christmas and New Year break on any testing with Nike.”
And Graeme McDowell, who shot a 70 in playing alongside his fellow Ulsterman and US Open winner, singled out for praise McIlroy’s late season return to form.
“Rory off the tee looked very much 2011 and 2012, and a bit ominous, really,” said McDowell.
“He drove it a lot more like the Rory of old and he was awesome off the tee.”
