USPGA Form Guide

09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00
3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

When he finished third at Hazeltine in this event last year, McIlroy's stats were superb: second for total driving, second for ball-striking, third all-round and fourth for total accuracy. The one letdown was putting for which he ranked 22nd. It has so far been his Achilles heel on the pro circuit and yet he can contend whilst putting poorly so if he can find the key to getting the ball in the hole more often, he ought to win plenty. At the Quail Hollow Championship in May we saw just what he can achieve when he putts well - he shot a course record 62 in the final round to overhaul a magnificent field, including an awestruck Phil Mickelson. He was unfortunate at St Andrews in the Open Championship; leading after a brilliant day one 63 he had to contend with the awful wind on Friday and could only add an 80. He bounced back with rounds of 69 and 68 to finish third (how many players finish in the top three with a round in the 80s?). Whistling Straits doesn't play like a links, but it looks like one and McIlroy might just fancy it.