McIlroy’s putting woes continue
Rory McIlroy’s uninspiring form continued unabated in the third round of the US Open in Washing on Saturday.
The Northern Irishman carded scores of 72 in the first and second rounds on Thursday and Friday respectively, and shot an even-par 70 in round three to take his overall score to four-over.
McIlroy was on song with from the tee but his putting failed him again as he shot bogeys on the 11th and 15th holes and birdies on the second and seventh on Saturday.
“That’s probably the best I’ve struck the ball all year from tee to green and I feel I could have gone a lot lower,” McIlroy told BBC sport.
“I gave myself so many chances from inside 15 feet and didn’t make one of them. Once you miss a couple it gets into your head and you make some tentative strokes.
“It’s a battle, a test – you have to stay patient and eventually one went in at the end.”
McIlroy barely made the cut after his first two rounds and is currently tied for 25th and trailing the leaders by eight shots.
“I’m just in a bad habit of turning good scores into average ones at the minute and that’s why I’m in the position I’m in,” he told the Guardian.
“I would say that the putt on 10 was the real momentum stopper. I hit it really close there.
“That’s a pin position where if you get it within 20 feet of the hole, you are going to be happy. To get it within three feet and miss that, it sort of stopped any momentum that I had.
McIlroy claimed his first major title at this same tournament in 2011 but has been well off the pace in Chambers Bay.
Latest
-
PGA ChampionshipGraeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA TourLee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European TourSam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA ChampionshipDefending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA TourEnglish rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA ChampionshipJordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
NewsWe’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.