Considering Rory McIlroy’s recent travails with the lead and only the fourth round between him and a podium finish, it was to his advantage that he began his last day at the Players Championship out of the final pairing. After all, he had hitherto failed to win from such a position in his last nine opportunities. And, for good measure, he began yesterday’s 18 a mere stroke behind frontrunner John Rahm. In other words, he was in a good place mentally, and he just needed to trust his swing in order to live up to expectations.
It’s easier said than done, to be sure — and perhaps especially for Mr. McIlroy, whose singular talent in the eyes of many should have already netted him many more than the 24 trophies on his mantel. Not that he proved inconsistent with a club in his hand; in his last five starts prior to the Players Championship, he managed to finish no worse than sixth. On the contrary, it was precisely because he looked automatic out on the course that his relative lack of hardware seemed inappropriate. And he had his chances; he teed off in the final group on Day Four thrice in those same five starts, only to walk off empty-handed.
Under the circumstances, McIlroy cannot but be delighted in his performance. An up-and-down round had him a stroke behind red-hot Jim Furyk after the 14th, and he seemed to make his standing worse with an errant tee shot. Coming in, however, he was nothing short of golden. On the next two holes, he claimed birdies off an outstanding bunker shot from 180 feet out and a whopping 347-yard drive, the longest of the final round. He then capped his effort with pars on the tricky island-green 17th and dangerous 18th. With the outcome on the line, he managed to forge ahead and, more importantly, stay ahead.
No doubt, the outcome figures to provide McIlroy with timely confidence. The Masters is up next, and his solid showing under pressure at TPC Sawgrass is just what he needed to silence critics questioning his capacity to contend for a fifth major title. It’s also what he needed to hold the demons inside him at bay. As he noted in the aftermath of his triumph, “to step up and make those good swings, it’s very satisfying knowing that it’s in there when it needs to be.” And with Augusta slated to play similarly, he should be the favorite to win and finally forge a career grand slam. “I’m playing some of the best golf of my life.” Enough said.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
