McIlroy's struggle for form continues

Published Friday, 08 March 2013

Rory McIlroy struggled to an opening 73 at the World Golf Championships as he played his first round since storming off in Florida - while fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell claimed a share of the lead.

McIlroy still looked off his best, but there were improvements. (© Getty)

All eyes were on world number one McIlroy as the WGC-Cadillac Championship got underway in Miami, less than a week after the 23-year-old shocked the golfing world by withdrawing from the Honda Classic eight holes into his second round.

The Holywood man finished one over par and seven shots off the lead on Thursday, in a mixed performance which saw two three-putts on the back nine and several missed birdies.

However, having promised to "grind it out" when the going gets tough, McIlroy improved from three over par by birdying two of his last three shots - and there was no repeat of the club slamming and negative body language of last week.

"It was a bit of a struggle to be honest," he said, after day one of the £5.8m event.

"I hit some good shots, I hit some not-so good shots. As I have been saying all week this is a work in progress, I am staying patient and I have another three rounds to work on it more and shoot a few good scores."

Meanwhile his good friend, Portrush man McDowell, carded a six under par 66 to join Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia and Fredrik Jacobson in the lead.

"It's a lot of fun," said McDowell - who had to pay Spanish playing partner Sergio Garcia over a bet made on Manchester United's Champion's League defeat to Real Madrid.

"You are playing against the best players in the world and in a no-cut scenario it's important to get up to the business end of things as early as you can in the week because you can quickly lose your way in this event and be out with the dead men early on Saturday and Sunday.

"That's not where you want to be, you want to get off to a fast start and be in there tussling for the lead and I am very pleased with that opening effort."

Comments

2 Comments

John in Dundalk wrote (73 days ago):

As a pro golfer myself i read and laugh at some if the stories I read.new tools,new girlfriend,and the media.why become famous if u cannot handle the pressure the sport brings.rory has new clubs yes,but its like a football player getting new boots does he start kicking the ball wrong,and stop scoring goals NO.rory has had plenty of time to practice and get the feel for his new clubs.rorys problem is not his clubs it's a distraction behind the scenes that's making his mind be elsewhere and not on the course.

Paddy in Co Down wrote (73 days ago):

Im playing golf for over 30 years and Im very far from being a pro but every golfer can hit a good streak and then a bad streak for no reason. Young Rory has the pressures of the world media, his girlfriend, a great season last year, a new set of "tools" and a new contract with Nike all to contend with. Lord knows what else is going on in his world. I wish he would teach them all our Norn Iron saying, "Give me head peace"

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McIlroy's struggle for form continues

Rory McIlroy struggled to an opening 73 at the World Golf Championships as he played his first round since storming off in Florida - while fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell claimed a share of the lead.