BERNARD GALLACHER’S GOLF
The curtain finally comes down on live golf in 2018 today as events conclude in South Africa and Indonesia.
When studying the final Official World Rankings for the year, my eyes are drawn to the names in eighth and 16th place, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.
Just a couple of years ago, we were expecting this pair to be battling it out at the top of the game for a decade or more.
They were the golden boys of golf – but that domination has not materialised.
McIlroy and Spieth still have seven Majors between them, but Spieth’s victory at The Open last year is the only one for either of them in the last three seasons.
Of the two of them, I am more concerned about the American. Jordan is not a power player, but his driving has been very poor.
For two years he was the leading putter in the game, but he has not holed as many on the green in the last couple of years and his results have suffered.
His third place at The Masters in April was flattering and out of keeping with his overall form.
He then got himself into a good position at The Open, when he tied the lead after three rounds. But in windier conditions on the final day, his technique was exposed on his way to a 76.
It was the same story at the Ryder Cup. He holed a few putts alongside good friend, Justin Thomas, in the pairings.
But, out on his own in the Singles, Le Golf National exposed his weaknesses again and he was hammered by Thorbjorn Olesen.
We know his temperament is good. But, at the moment, his technique is letting him down. You worry that a bad shot is not too far away.
As for Rory, winning at Bay Hill back in March was great. But he should be winning at least two or three times a season.
He always has the powerful, booming drive in his arsenal. And it’s only a matter of time before it all clicks on the greens.
There is a lot of focus on his putting, but the stats are better than you think.
What does need work is his wedge play. It is not sharp enough for a player of his class, because he should be giving himself lots of birdie chances.
McIlroy is making big changes to his schedule for 2019. It should make him focused.
He will be playing entirely in America until the Scottish Open and that will suit him.
With The Players, The Masters, the US PGA and the US Open all in the first half of the year, I would be very surprised if Rory doesn’t arrive in Scotland with one of those titles in his bag.
His comments about giving up European Tour membership have upset the likes of Paul McGinley and Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour.
But that is not Rory’s main concern.
Tony Jacklin always reckons he made the mistake of trying to balance both Tours when he was in his pomp. Rory doesn’t want to do the same.
He could win the Race to Dubai as many times as he likes, but that is not motivating him. His goal is to win Majors.
As it stands, if Rory quits the Tour, he would give up the right to be Ryder Cup captain. But he is not thinking about what may happen in 15 years, he is focusing on what is best next year.
And the ruling about Ryder Cup captaincy could, one day, be taken out as quickly as it was brought in.
McIlroy and Spieth are still great players, and huge draws, but they know getting back to the very top will not be easy.
That is because we are blessed with so many great players – Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods, Tommy Fleetwood and more – and all of the biggest events are so keenly contested.