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2013 Golf: Rory McIlroy Struggles At Houston, Cards 73

By Les Bailey

June 12, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Defending U.S. Open Champion golfer Rory McIlroy throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros at AT
June 12, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Defending U.S. Open Champion golfer Rory McIlroy throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros at AT /
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Once again, Rory McIlroy just wasn’t ready to play golf when his tee time was announced. That seems to be the normal for the 23 year old number two golfer in the world this year, and that was the case on Thursday morning. Starting his day on the front nine at The Shell Houston Open, McIlroy appeared to be flat again, mostly due to tournament rust that is attached itself to almost every phase of his golf game.

June 12, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Defending U.S. Open Champion golfer Rory McIlroy throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros at AT
June 12, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Defending U.S. Open Champion golfer Rory McIlroy throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros at AT /

The young Ulsterman spent his first nine holes digging a hole that he almost dug himself out of on the back nine. After picking up a bogey at the second hole, it would be the par five eighth hole where he made the big boo..boo. By the time he made the turn, he was in a three shot hole. McIlroy came out ready to play on the back nine, looking like the Rory McIlroy who lead the money list on both tours, and birdied three of the first four holes. Four of the first six holes. Bogeys at the 14th and 17th holes would bring him back to reality, and leave him at one over par in a tie for 88th place.

"“I felt like on the front nine I was a little tentative,” McIlroy said. “I just tried to commit to myself a little more on the back nine and it seemed to help. If I could have got it back to even par, I would have been pretty happy, but I’m 1-over par and, hopefully, the conditions are a little calmer tomorrow morning.”"

I don’t think Rory McIlroy has a problem with his new equipment, or his golf swing, but is suffering the same fate as Brandt Snedeker. Rust on his game. After his final round 65 at Doral, when he had his golf game going, he needed to continue to play competitive rounds. He needed to play at Tampa Bay, or accept Arnold Palmer’s invitation to play at Bay Hill.

Come on…I was 23 years old at one point( I admit, it’s been a while), I think I get it…!! He has a hot girl friend, and doesn’t feel like going to work. He has more money than his grand children can spend in their lifetime, and doesn’t want to answer his alarm clock when it is telling him it’s time to get up and go to work.

As golf fans, we are hungry for him to be on top of his game, and give us the Sunday afternoons we have spent the spring waiting for. You know…, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods marching through the back nine on Sunday afternoons playing for all the marbles. I’m not sure he cares at this point what we want. Based on what I saw at Redstone on Thursday, we are not going to see that match-up at Augusta, or anywhere else soon. We might have to be happy with a Tiger/Rickie, or Tiger/Keegan match-up when it comes time to hand out Green Jackets. Maybe he will be ready for Merion…. then maybe not!

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