RORY SUFFERS TEXAS TRAUMA
Hot streak is over after final-day flop
AHORROR start to his final round ended Rory McIlroy’s chance of coming out of lockdown with a victory in the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas last night.
The world No 1 was one of no fewer than 13 players within three strokes of the leader, American Xander Schauffele, at the start of play. Any hopes he entertained of catching him, however, disappeared within the first 90 minutes of play.
It all started to go wrong for the Northern Irishman at the par-five opening hole. Looking to capitalise on a perfect drive, he struck what might have been his worst iron approach this year, as it skewed horribly to the right. Rather than a birdie, he ended up marking a six on his card. Things did not improve, either, as he dropped further shots at the fourth and fifth, before running up a double bogey at the seventh. It left him a scarcely believable five over par for his round and down in 39th place. His run of seven consecutive top five finishes was coming to an emphatic end.
Justin Rose, the UK’s other player in contention at the start, played his first six holes in one under par to be just two shots off the pace.
Leading America’s major sports out of the lockdown always carried with it an element of risk, but as the event headed for an exciting finish, it surely added up to a triumphant return.
There might have been no spectators, but there was plenty to keep every fan absorbed. What a delight to see Jordan Spieth back in the picture, with his constant running commentary on every shot that renders all punditry redundant.
Harold Varner, who spoke so eloquently on the current racial climate off the course, let his clubs do the talking on it. There was US Open champion Gary Woodland, using the break to lose 25lb and return full of energy; Bryson DeChambeau, who put on 20lb more to go with the 20lb he put on during the Christmas break and astounded everyone not only with his enormous hitting, but his sheer bulk. Golf remains a game full of players of all shapes and sizes.
How good to see Rose back on the leaderboard as well, while McIlroy’s last round difficulties will surely prove a temporary blip.
What about the relative failures concerning the two players closest to McIlroy at the top of the world rankings: Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka? Given Rahm said he barely played during the three months off, his rare missed halfway cut added up to a deserved punishment. But what of the man who has been the talk of the majors for the last three years?
‘I feel like a new man, and I just can’t wait to get back out there,’ said Koepka (left) on the eve of the event. Four days later, and that early enthusiasm seemed a long time ago. Not for the first time this year, the four- time major winner left the premises on Sunday buried in the pack, following a final round 69.
Koepka has blamed his poor form these past nine months on getting over a nagging knee injury, but did losing out to McIlroy for the FedEx Cup last September remove a layer of belief?
Since then, Koepka has played eight events with not a single top 15 finish. The good news for him is there’s still plenty of golf to play before defending his USPGA Championship title in early August.
Meanwhile, at the sharp end of the leaderboard, it was anyone’s tournament to win — and just what golf needed.