McIlroy conquers demons
Just nine days after his infamous meltdown and walk-off at the Honda Classic, the world No. 1 fired an eagle and five birdies in a sensational closing round and is now looking forward to a tilt at the Masters in just over a month’s time.
It was a stunning turnaround for the 23-year old from Holywood who proved for the third time in as many years that you write him off at your peril.
Just days after confessing that he wasn’t in “a good place mentally”, the Irishman followed a 73 with rounds of 69, 71 and 65 to finish inside the top 10 on 10 under as Tiger Woods headed for his 75th career win and his 17th WGC triumph.
After carding two eagles and 20 birdies in four days, McIlroy said: “I feel a lot better after that.
“Regardless of the score I feel like I hit a lot of good shots over the last three days and I’m really happy with where my game is at compared to where it was at the start of the week.
“I feel like there is still quite a bit to go but scores like that today and shots like I’ve hit over the last three days definitely give me confidence.
“I just limited my mistakes because I have made a lot of birdies and eagles over the last three days but made a lot of bogeys too. It was just limiting the mistakes and playing smart at times too and that’s what I did today.”
It will rank as his third biggest comeback since he surged back from that Masters meltdown in 2011 and last year’s mini-slump to win the US Open and the US PGA in successive seasons.
Now he’s ready to work hard on his short game for the next three weeks before he warms up for the Masters in the Shell Houston Open.
Confessing that he must be more patient in future, McIlroy admitted that he was surprised how quickly he was able to turn his game around in just four days.
Scotching forever the theory that his move to Nike golf was a mistake, he agreed that he was amazed he was able to turn his game around so quickly.
He said: “A day like today felt like a long way away if I’m honest. Just goes to show, it’s never as far away as you think. That’s been one of my problems.
“I always think when I’m playing bad that it’s further away than it is and I guess that’s just where I have to stay patient, and you know, let whatever happen, happen.
“I know that if I put in the hard work, that the results will bear fruit; whether that’s sooner or later, it doesn’t really matter.”
Tied for 50th after his opening 73, McIlroy was 32nd at halfway and 30th following his Saturday 71.
But he cut a swathe through the field on a blustery final day when he opened with a stunning eagle three from 20 feet and then birdied the fifth from 15 feet to go out in 33.
He then started for home with birdies at the 10th and 11th and then followed up with another brace at the 16th and 17th in a round featuring just 27 putts.
Confessing that he needs to be easier on himself when times are tough, he said: “I wear my heart on my sleeve a bit with my golf. If I have a bad round, it’s sort of like the end of the world, but if I play a good one, I’m happy again.
“I realised that I’d neglected my short game and worked on it last night and hit some really nice wedge shots today.
“That was nice to see and I got it up and down a few times. I am a lot happier with my game and excited for the next few weeks.”
Meanwhile, fellow Irishman Pádraig Harrington finished inside the top 40 on level par after a roller coaster 72 but headed straight to Asia for upcoming events in Thailand and Malaysia with his spirits high after his first event wearing glasses.
Four under after nine holes, he dropped four shots in the last five holes but said: “It was very positive. I was thrilled with today. The glasses are staying.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
