The 123rd edition of the US Open was certainly quite historic! From setting a record for the lowest opening round score to seeing the defending champion hole an ace, the major certainly was one for the fans to remember. However, amid Wyndham Clark clinching his first major win along with the highly coveted 3.6 million, another golfer will also be remembered: Rory McIlroy.
Although the Irishman did not break any records, he had a good run and finished as the runner-up. However, there was something during his final round on Sunday at LACC that left fans quite bothered. And it seems like the same thing has happened before!
The big reason behind McIlroy’s major drought
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There was a phase when the Irish golfer was at the top of the world rankings and had a stellar major record. He still has a stellar win record, but it has been nearly nine years since his major victory, and hence he has been in a major-less drought. The golfer’s loyal fans were rooting for him to win at Los Angeles Country Club; however, it started to seem like a distant dream at some point. Why? Because of his putting skills!
Two reporters from Barstool Sports, Dan Rapaport and Trent Ryan, posted tweets pointing to the issue with his putting skills and complaining that they are “gonna need Rory McIlroy to make a putt,” and we agree! The Northern Irishman lost 1.98 putting strokes today and lost the tournament by 1 stroke, as pointed out by a sports editor on Twitter.
At some point, I’m really gonna need Rory McIlroy to make a putt.
— Trent (@BarstoolTrent) June 18, 2023
Rapaport pointed out that on Sunday it seemed like it was St. Andrews (2022, The British Open) all over again. He displayed stunning performance during the final round that year also and looked like the best driver, but to quote the golfer himself, “The putter just went a little cold today.”
A ho-hum, make-nothing round was never going to get it done at the Old Course. It could well get it done at this U.S. Open for Rory McIlroy. Problem is then you leave it in Wyndham Clark's hands. You gotta think St. Andrews has entered his head. Desperate for one to fall.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 19, 2023
During the British Open in 2022, the golfer hit eight putts from between 10 and 20 feet and didn?t hole any of them, which seemed like the scenario at LACC as well. The 34-year-old golfer would have won and ended his nine-year-long drought if he had made just one more putt.
Prior to the US Open, the 4-time major winner had even made some changes to his bag, but it seems they didn’t come in handy! And the two reporters weren’t the only ones to notice. The fans were quite disappointed, too, with the golfer?s putting skills!
Rory McIlroy leaves the golf world frustrated with his putting
Trent?s and Rapaport?s tweets quickly garnered a lot of attention from golf enthusiasts, and they had a lot to say and express. Let us look at some of the comments that fans made.
Fans did not hold back in expressing their disappointment with the 4-time major champion.
It's killing me
— Three Putt Golf Club (@threeputt_golf) June 18, 2023
You’re going to need to say it louder.
— somebody named steve 🇺🇦🌻𝕏 (@stevenclough) June 18, 2023
Putting crap , really crap , thats difference v Tiger
— stu74 (@carl_spackler74) June 19, 2023
Many even suggested that had his putting been better, he’d be unstoppable.
Rory would have so many Major wins if he could putt. That’s always been his nemesis..
— Dean Barker (@DeanB64) June 19, 2023
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Rory would have a few more majors if he could putt from outside of 10 feet. Has an uncanny to never make a putt of distance for what feels like entire tournaments.
— NMD (@stuckinIthaca) June 19, 2023
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What are your thoughts about McIlroy’s putting skills? Do you agree with the fans? Let us know in the comments below.
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