Rory McIlroy’s performance at the RBC Canadian Open has sent shockwaves through the golf community, as the Northern Irish star experienced one of the most challenging stretches of his illustrious career ahead of the U.S Open.
Once celebrated for his consistency and prowess on the course, McIlroy now finds himself grappling with a series of setbacks that have raised questions about his current form and future prospects.
The second round of the RBC Canadian Open proved to be a nightmare for McIlroy. After an opening round of 1-over 71, he entered Friday’s play with hopes of improving his position.
However, things quickly unraveled. On the par-4 fifth hole, McIlroy found himself in deep trouble, eventually carding a quadruple bogey.
Poor play exacerbated by driver controversy
This disastrous hole was just the beginning of a series of unfortunate events. He followed up with a double bogey on the 11th hole, where his tee shot found the water hazard, and continued to struggle throughout the round. By the end of the day, McIlroy had posted a score of 9-over through 16 holes, placing him near the bottom of the leaderboard.
This marked the worst 36-hole position of his professional career, leaving him on the verge of missing the cut, and fans and analysts alike were taken aback by McIlroy’s performance.
The golfer, who had recently completed a career Grand Slam with a victory at the Masters, appeared to be a shadow of his former self. His struggles off the tee and with his approach shots were particularly concerning, as they are typically strengths of his game. The golfing world watched in disbelief as one of its brightest stars faltered under the pressure.
Adding to the turmoil, McIlroy had faced controversy leading up to the tournament. His TaylorMade Qi10 driver was flagged by the USGA for being non-conforming due to excessive face flexibility. While such issues are not uncommon, the timing of the revelation raised eyebrows. The news was leaked to the public before the tournament began, placing McIlroy under an intense spotlight.
McIlroy staying upbeat despite struggles
Despite the challenges, McIlroy remains determined to turn things around. He acknowledged the difficulties of the week but emphasized the need to stay focused and positive.
“I actually felt like I played OK. It was my first outing with a new driver, and I felt like that went pretty well,” he said. “I hit some good iron shots, missed a couple of greens and didn’t get them up and down, especially those last couple holes.
“Overall, I’m pretty happy with how I played. I need to go a little bit lower [on Friday] and over the weekend to have a chance.”
As McIlroy prepares for the upcoming U.S. Open at Oakmont, the golfing world will be watching closely to see if he can rebound from this slump. His performance at the RBC Canadian Open serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the challenges even the most accomplished players face.
For McIlroy, the path to redemption will require not only technical adjustments but also mental fortitude to overcome the setbacks and return to his winning ways.
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