Is this the end of Rory McIlroy’s putting game?

There is no doubt that Rory McIlroy is one of the best players out on the PGA Tour.
An incredible CV boasts four major wins, 16 PGA Tour titles, whilst being currently sat second in the FedEx Cup standings.
It just seems that Rory’s inability to close out Championships is stopping him from reaching the heights of golfing immortality – in recent events the putter has really gone COLD TURKEY.
In a dismal couple of weeks, the Northern Irishman missed the cut in the Open Championship on home soil at Royal Portrush as well as throwing away a final-round lead at the WGC FedEx St Jude invitational last weekend. Is the recent drop in form a tale of pressure with the putter?
Rory went into the Open Championship at Royal Portrush (a course where he holds the record score) as red-hot favourite to lift his fifth major on home soil. That optimism was soon diminished after a nightmare first round of +8. An abysmal putting performance saw Rory miss the cut by one shot despite a brave Friday fightback.
McIlroy’s Open really came to a head on Thursday on the 16th green, three-putting from within 6ft – a putt my nan would have probably sunk.
In Memphis at the St Jude Invitational, the tide seemed to have turned. McIlroy putted solidly through 54, earning him the clubhouse lead on Saturday evening (-12), with Brooks Koepka sitting pretty a shot back (-11).
The stage was set for a mammoth heavyweight bout between two giants of the game, as first took on second in the FedEx Cup standings. What we got instead was a white flag, as Rory’s horrific form with the putter continued.
In a disappointing 71 (+1), the putter went cold on the big stage yet again, just as Koepka found his form on the green.
Golf Fans React:
Koepka can putt. Nerves of steel. McIlroy needs a bit of that at the minute.
— Birdfeed (@Birdfeed1) July 28, 2019
Mcilroy should try and learn to putt
— Matthew Jones (@MatthewJonesss) July 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/redheadj23/status/1155575778832261120
McIlroy misses yet another putt on the par-3 8th, missing it to the left.
Rory does not look comfortable on the putter today like he did yesterday at the @WGCFedEx. #WGCFedEx #WGCFedExStJudeInvitational
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) July 28, 2019
Rory McIlroy can’t handle the mental aspect of golf against the top players. He’s so weak. Koepka made a par putt & then Rory missed a shorter birdie putt. Since then he’s done nothing & Koepka has made 2 birdies. So frustrating because his swing is class & he hits it a mile
— Luke Sheekey (@LukeSheekey) July 28, 2019
But how do Rory’s stats compare over the season, does the pressure with the putter only get to him at the big events and Sunday rounds?
McIlroy’s first putt conversion standings on PGA TOUR this season are:
- Thursday – T146
- Friday – T13
- Saturday – T73
- Sunday – T83
The rankings of first putt conversion rate show that it is the opening and closing of Rory’s rounds that are affected most by his lack of form with the putter – arguably the two most pressured and important rounds of any event.
As Koepka now overtakes Rory into top spot in the FedEx Cup standings, the question is whether he can he find his form in time for the play-offs and that all-important Tour Championship.
McIlroy has a great chance to bounce back next week at the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club – but only if he can get that putter working for him on the green.
Latest
-
News
Justin Rose fights back to stay on top at the Masters
The Englishman made three late birdies to fire a level-par 72.
-
News
Bernd Wiesberger makes ground after Justin Rose’s shaky start to second round
The Olympic champion’s first-round advantage is cut to a single stroke at Augusta.
-
News
Jordan Spieth: ‘When you’re a yard off here, you’re about 40 feet away’
Augusta isn’t feeling very generous, Spieth said after a battling opening 71.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton after impressive opening 71: ‘This is the major I expect to do worst in’
The Englishman made a great start at Augusta on Thursday but is keeping his expectations in check.
-
News
Masters day one: Justin Rose leads the way with superb 65
The Olympic gold medallist covered 10 holes in nine under at Augusta.
-
News
On this day in 2006: Phil Mickelson wins second Masters in three years
It was also a second successive major success for the Californian.
-
News
Tommy Fleetwood hits impressive ace at Masters
It came a fortnight after he also made a hole-in-one during the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
-
News
Justin Rose overcomes ‘glass-like’ greens to claim early Masters lead
The Englishman finished the first round in the lead for the fourth time in his career.
-
News
Defending champion Dustin Johnson finds going tougher with opening 74 at Masters
Defending champion Dustin Johnson carded three bogeys in his first 16 and then made a double bogey on the 18th as he returned a 74.
-
News
Rory McIlroy hits dad Gerry with wayward shot at Masters
The incident occurred when McIlroy pushed his approach to the seventh hole to the right of the green.