LOS ANGELES – Rory McIlroy continues to wait.
The stars aligned for the youngster from Holywood in Northern Ireland to end his nine-year drought at the Los Angeles Country Club, located under the Hollywood Hills.
McIlroy, who took advantage of benign weather conditions on Thursday to shoot a 5-under-par 65, remained at the fringes of the leaderboard with rounds of 67 & 69. He stayed true to his strategy of playing with patience and being smart. He was just one shot behind the leader and eventual champion Wyndham Clark going into Sunday’s final day. The crowd was enthused by a birdie on the first hole. They had no idea it was his last.
McIlroy blew putt after putt and admittedly, a few poor decisions kept him from ever really putting pressure on Clark. The result? The result? A humdrum, even-par score of 70 and yet another major on the table.
Sounds familiar? McIlroy said that this week’s Open was similar to the Open last year at St. Andrews where he had a 54-hole share but only managed two birdies, finishing third one stroke behind Cameron Young, and two behind the winner Cameron Smith.
Rory McIlroy reacts on his putt at the 17th hole during the final round of 123rd U.S. Open, held at Los Angeles Country Club. (Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).
McIlroy, visibly upset, said, “There were a few things I would have done differently but overall, I played a good round of golf.” “That one wedge on 14, that missed birdie on 8, I did everything else as I wanted.”
“Yeah fine, fine margins are at this level, and this tournament in particular, but I fought until the end. I never give up. “I’m getting there,” he said. The more I put myself in these situations, the sooner it will happen for me. “I just need to get back on track and focus for the (Royal Liverpool), which is in a couple of weeks.”
He realized that he had to leave the driver at home this week, and rely on his other skills in order to play the North Course of the LACC.
He said: “I felt like I executed my game plan really well, hitting many fairways and hitting many greens. Again, this is what you would do at the U.S. Open.” “I felt that over the last couple of days, when the greens got quite crisp, my speed control was a bit off, and that’s why I didn’t hole many putts. I didn’t hit bad putts, I just hit them with the slightest speed. “Some were short and some were a bit long.”
“I can play freely.” McIlroy continued, “I think I proved it today.” I felt my putter speed control was off a bit. It’s likely why I haven’t made a birdie after the first.”
What is his next move? McIlroy wants to win, but no one more than he does. He praised himself for his ability to rebound earlier in the week.
He said, “I have been trying for the last nine years and I have come close. I keep coming back.” “I’ve shown a lot resilience in my career. I have had many ups and lows, but I keep coming back.” “I’ll keep coming back, whether I am rewarded for my efforts or if I am punched in the stomach or what have you.”
This week has been a real kick in the stomach. He’ll have to do what he says if he wants to reap the rewards.
He added, “I’d go through 100 Sundays just like this in order to win another major championship.” He’s almost a quarter way to his goal with 19 top 10s since his last major victory.
McIlroy said that the countdown began three minutes prior to his post-round media conference. He has a few stops to make before he can find water to end his dry spell. Next week, McIlroy will compete in the Travelers Championship, which is held at TPC Riverside in Cromwell in Connecticut. He then heads to The Renaissance Club, North Berwick in Scotland, for the Genesis Scottish Open from July 13-16. This event takes place a week prior to the Open.
This week we learned that McIlroy is returning to the Royal Liverpool and that the countdown has begun.
