Rory McIlroy’s performance at the Players Championship was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. Even after squandering a three-shot lead, the Northern Irish golfer remained unfazed, as he demonstrated his mastery and command over the game during the playoff with J.J. Spaun. If you had only tuned in for the playoff, you might have been confounded as to how the two ended up tied after four rounds.
McIlroy’s ease and control during the playoff were evident. His dominance was so pronounced that the competition seemed almost decided when Spaun’s tee shot found the water on the 17th hole of TPC Sawgrass. This could have led spectators to forget that it was actually Spaun who was a hair’s breadth away from clinching the title on the final hole on Sunday. His birdie putt on the 18th hole fell painfully short, giving McIlroy a second chance.
McIlroy had previously held a three-shot lead during the Sunday round, only to let it slip through his fingers, paving the way for Spaun’s near victory. Yet, McIlroy’s response to his lost lead was nothing short of commendable.
On the following Monday, he was back on the green, ready to prove a point. His tee shot on the 16th hole cut through the fairway, and he managed to find the green on the 17th with little to no trouble. Observing this, Todd Lewis, speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, expressed his surprise at McIlroy’s demeanor after losing his substantial lead.
Lewis noted that despite the circumstance, McIlroy was not overly frustrated or negative. Instead, he demonstrated a level-headed attitude, focusing on winning the game on Monday. His nerves on the first playoff hole, the 16th tee, spoke volumes about his dedication and passion for the game.
McIlroy’s victory, his second on the PGA Tour before April, was indeed impressive, especially considering the prestige and competitive nature of the tournaments he participated in. However, the real test of his skill and game is yet to be seen.
Paul McGinley, commenting on Golf Channel after McIlroy’s loss at the US Open last year, pointed out the changes in McIlroy’s gameplay under major pressure. He noted that McIlroy’s losses were not due to a flawed swing but more to do with his putting pace and failure to seize opportunities. This was particularly relevant given McIlroy’s near miss at the Players Championship on Sunday. Despite this, he managed to recover and win.
McIlroy now has just four chances a year to demonstrate the extent of his improvement. His performance at the Players Championship was a tantalizing preview of what he is capable of, and fans will be waiting eagerly to see how he fares in his upcoming games.
