Golf Comment: McIlroy isn’t just back to his best – Rory is now better than ever
RESURGENT Rory McIlroy’s return to world No1 ranking following back-to-back wins at the Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational have got people wondering: is the Northern Irishman back to his best? For me, he’s even better than ever.
McIlroy’s turn of form has been extraordinary, and he was magnificent in chasing down Sergio Garcia at Akron on Sunday. That was his third title in his last seven events and, whatever the reasons, he is obviously much more settled in his mind than during the previous 18 months.
Now 25, he is more mature and handles situations better than before. His swing is nigh on perfect in idyllic conditions, and even when the weather isn’t great, as it wasn’t over the weekend, he is still a cut above.
Putting, chipping, iron play, driving; there isn’t a weakness in his armoury, so there is every reason to believe that McIlroy can win his second Major of the year and the fourth of his career this week at the US PGA Championship. His form means he arrives buoyant. McIlroy knows his game is on a string and will be desperate to just get back out on the course and continue where he left off.
McIlroy is not the only man near the top of the world rankings in possession of a superb swing. The quality of Justin Rose, Garcia and Adam Scott is as good as it gets and a pleasure to watch.
Despite seeing a six-shot lead evaporate, Garcia can take plenty of positives from last week. Having McIlroy breathing down your neck is daunting and the Spaniard is not the young lion anymore. McIlroy did to Garcia what he used to do to other opponents.
England’s Lee Westwood finished with a great final round of 63 at Firestone, a timely score as he looks to earn some Ryder Cup points before the deadline at the end of this month. Westwood has been working hard in the gym, has changed his mindset and will be looking for another good showing this week. In terms of rivals to McIlroy, I’m always a Rose fan so will be following his performance closely too.
It’s an interesting time for American players too, none of whom make the current world top five, with the US PGA the last chance for players to qualify automatically for the Ryder Cup team.
Phil Mickelson finished the Bridgestone Invitational with a 62, and is showing signs of stepping up from some indifferent form, but the sudden leave of absence taken by Dustin Johnson is a big loss to captain Tom Watson ahead of next month’s contest at Gleneagles.
Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer, a European vice-captain for this year’s competition, and a media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam