Rory McIlroy’s hopes of winning the PGA Championship appear to have been dealt a big blow
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images It was not at all surprising to see Rory McIlroy make his first competitive start since winning The Masters at the Truist Championship this week. McIlroy won at Augusta National last month despite not playing on the PGA Tour for several weeks leading into the first major of the year.
Of course, the Northern Irishman has an amazing record at Quail Hollow across his career. So many would have expected the 37-year-old to make a statement leading into the PGA Championship. However, McIlroy looks set to miss out on the top 10 at the Truist Championship for only the fourth time in 15 visits this week.
And it is particularly concerning ahead of Aronimink next week that one part of his game completely let him down on Saturday at Quail Hollow. Rory McIlroy takes a step backwards ahead of the PGA Championship McIlroy noted on the New Heights podcast this week that it was his short game that won him The Masters for a second time. The game has arguably never seen anyone who drives the ball better than Rory McIlroy .
Meanwhile, his putting has also become a real strength in the last few years. But it was around the green where McIlroy shone at Augusta National. According to Data Golf , Patrick Cantlay was the only player to perform better in that category of the players who made the cut.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images It was a sign that McIlroy had found a way to win the biggest events without his best form. But those of us tempted to get carried away were provided with something of a wake-up call on Saturday at the latest signature event on the PGA Tour .