Frustrated Rory still no closer to finding cure for Sunday slumps

RORY McILROY blamed his old failings with the putter as he started his new season with a familiar final-round failure.

At the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday, McIlroy started in the final group for the sixth time since the beginning of 2018 – and once again fluffed his lines.

The world No.8 fell out of contention with a 72 – his worst round of the week by three strokes – to finish eights shots behind winner Xander Schauffele.

While the new world No.6 shot a breathtaking 62, McIlroy did not make a birdie in his last 13 holes to finish tied for fourth.

“I gave myself plenty of chances but just couldn’t get anything to drop,” said McIlroy.

“Anything that was right-to-left I missed on the high side, and anything left-to-right I missed on the low side. It was one of those days when it just didn’t happen.

“My attitude was much better today. I was very patient, but I don’t think anyone could have beaten Xander today. I would have had to shoot nine under par.

“Yes, I could have shot a better score but I did what I wanted to do. I gave myself plenty of chances, I hit most of the fairways, I hit most of the greens, but I just couldn’t get the ball to drop.”

McIlroy will concentrate on playing the PGA Tour this year in a bid to end his five-year Major drought after branding the European Tour a “stepping stone.” He plans to play once more before the Genesis Open in Los Angeles next month.

The Florida-based star, who turns 30 in May, said: “I’m going to go home and reflect on this week and reflect on what was good and what maybe wasn’t so good. I’ll work on a few things and come back out having learned a little more about my game than I knew coming into this week.”

Justin Rose returned to world No.1 despite not playing in Hawaii as Brooks Koepka finished down in 24th place. The Olympic champion is expected to make his first start of the year in two weeks at the Desert Classic in California.