Rory McIlroy’s journey during the third round of The 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club took an unexpected turn, leaving him understandably frustrated. Despite showcasing exceptional skills from tee to green, it was his putting that failed him, leading to missed opportunities and a scorecard that fell disappointingly short of his potential.
Exiting the 18th green with a score of 2-under 69, McIlroy knew that the day could have yielded much greater rewards. His performance paled in comparison to Jon Rahm’s remarkable 8-under 63 earlier in the day, emphasizing the missed chances that plagued him during crucial moments.
Delving into the advanced statistics, the contrast becomes evident. McIlroy topped the field in strokes gained off the tee and ranked an impressive fifth in strokes gained approaching the green. However, a glaring weakness presented itself in his 111th ranking in strokes gained putting, a statistic that simply did not match his overall prowess.
A perfect example of McIlroy’s putting struggles emerges at the par-4 2nd hole. After a spectacular drive, deftly navigating Royal Liverpool’s treacherous pot-bunkers, he found himself with an ideal 111-yard approach. The resulting shot landed a mere nine feet from the flagstick, setting up an excellent birdie opportunity. Unfortunately, he failed to convert and left the short putt begging.
Similar scenarios repeated themselves throughout the round, with multiple missed birdie opportunities on the par-4 4th, par-4 8th, par-5 15th, par-3 17th, and par-5 18th. Each time, McIlroy faced birdie putts within 15 feet, only to watch as his hopes slipped away with each missed attempt.
Now, as McIlroy seeks to rectify his putting struggles, he faces the stark realization that his contention in The Open Championship may hinge on his ability to find consistency on the greens. The very course where he triumphed in 2014 may prove to be a frustrating reminder of his ongoing major championship drought, which could extend into 2024. If not addressed, this potential decade-long gap without a major title threatens to overshadow his incredible achievements thus far.
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