McIlroy desperate to turn season around
World No4 says he would give himself a ‘B-, maybe a B’ for his performances this year
Rory McIlroy is running out of patience with an up-and-down season and running out of time to do something about it as the year’s final major, the PGA Championship, starts today.
The 27-year-old world number four from Northern Ireland likes his form and the par-70 Baltusrol layout, and he won PGA crowns in 2012 and 2014.
But a season of frustration is catching up with him. “There have been times where I got a little bit of momentum and then got set back a little bit,” McIlroy said on Tuesday. “I’m trying to stay as positive as I can. I am positive because my game is in good shape.
“But I guess just maybe running out of patience a little bit trying to make it happen. Trying to get better and trying to get my name in the mix, and hopefully I can do that this week.”
McIlroy led at Doral but blew a three-shot lead in the final round to finish two strokes back. He was in Sunday’s final group at the Masters but never made a birdie, a victim of the tension of trying to complete a career Grand Slam.
McIlroy, whose major trophy haul also includes the 2014 British Open and 2011 US Open, will have an extended wait to ease his frustrations if he does not come through for a third Wanamaker Trophy.
“A grade this year? I’d say like a B- maybe, B. It’s OK. I could change that into an Aplus on Sunday,” McIlroy said.
“I want to give it my all to get in the mix and try to win another one of these things before I have to wait another eight months to get another opportunity at Augusta next year.”
Adding motivation for McIlroy are the low scores being posted by major winners lately, 20-under pars by Jason Day at the 2015 PGA Championship and Henrik Stenson at the British Open two weeks ago.
“Any time you walk away from a big tournament and you haven’t lifted a trophy, it’s going to motivate you, especially when you see the guys winning,” McIlroy said. “Sometimes you think that should be me and it gives you a bit of a kick in the [backside] to get out there and go practice.”