Trumped by Moli’s Game
DEVASTATED RORY FACES A FIGHT TO BE IN SWING FOR US OPEN
RORY McILROY confessed he was fighting his wayward swing all weekend as he slipped to second behind Francesco Molinari at the BMW PGA.
The Ulsterman raced to a three-shot lead after 36 holes before limping home to lose his head-to-head battle with the Italian by two shots.
He shot 71 and 70 over a windy last two days as Molinari carded 66 and 68.
And the world No.8 said he would have to hit the range to solve the unpredictable “twoway miss” in his game before next month’s US Open.
“I was in a great position after two days, and struggled yesterday and struggled today again,” admitted the four-time Major winner last night.
“I just couldn’t get anything going. I let Francesco get a few shots ahead of me and I just couldn’t claw that back.
“The couple of shots that got me on Saturday I missed to the right and then today the shots that cost me were missing left.
“When you have the two sides of the golf course in play, it’s a little difficult. It is a two-way miss. If you could just take one side out of play, then at least you know what your miss is and you can sort of play against that.
“I don’t know what changed from Friday – under pressure on the golf course, you revert to what you were doing.
“I need a few more hours on the range and try to get ready for The Memorial next week. I’m close but I am hitting some loose shots.”
After playing the first 16 holes in level par, McIlroy birdied 17 and then held his face in frustration (above) as he left a 20-foot eagle putt on the last just short as he tried to put late pressure on his playing partner.
The Italian, who then nailed a six-foot par putt to ensure he played his last 43 holes bogey-free, said: “This is the biggest win of my career.
“It feels amazing. I’ve been close so many times. If I could pick one tournament to win it would be this one.
“I was hoping Rory wouldn’t make his putt because I wasn’t fancying mine, but thankfully I holed it anyway.”
Molinari, who banked £872,000 and – with Ryder Cup points now worth 50 per cent more – jumped from 27th to fourth place and into the automatic qualifying places, added: “I have been lucky to be on two winning teams and I would love to be on a third.”