GOLF: Putting lets McIlroy down
ANY discussion about Rory McIlroy's chances of winning majors and replacing Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings is usually dominated by the thorny issue of his putting.
He may be one of the best ball strikers in the world, but at the moment, Rory is an average putter and the stats back that up.
Last year on the European Tour Rory averaged 30 putts per round while Padraig Harrington, averaged 28.7 putts per round.
On the face of it that doesn't seem like a big gap until you realise that while Harrington finished fourth in that category, McIlroy finished the season in 111th position.
Rory knows that his putting is something of a work in progress. Not long after turning professional, he started working with putting coach Paul Hurrion and in his three years on tour, his putting has improved.
However, he still has days when he struggles to get the ball to drop and yesterday in Abu Dhabi, the 20-year-old had 'one of those days'. He signed for a bogey-free three under par round of 69 but was left with an all too familiar 'what-if' feeling.
"From tee to green it was very good," he said.
"I've always struggled to read these greens. I don't know if it's because they've got a tiny bit of grain or because they're not really a green colour, they have a browny colour and I struggled to read them again today.
"I hit some really good putts that I thought were going to go in but they didn't.
"But if that is my worst round of the week then it won't be too bad."
Rory is in a tie for eighth place on nine under par, three shots behind the leader, Australian Rick Kulacz, who carded a brilliant round of 63 yesterday which included 11 birdies and two bogeys. The Aussie birdied seven of his opening eight holes and went to the turn in a remarkable 30 shots!
A shot back are Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson and last year's 3 Irish Open winner, Shane Lowry.
The Irish golfer, making his 2010 debut, carded an excellent bogey free round of 65. The 22 year old, who turned professional after triumphing at Baltray last May, wrapped up his round with a spectacular 50 foot putt at the par three seventh after beginning on the back nine.
"I came into this week without too many expectations after a long winter break, but I managed to find some confidence and I have played nicely over the last couple of days and managed to hole some putts," said Lowry.
"It is a little bit of a surprise to make such a good start, but I have just tried to play as good as I can and I haven't made too many mistakes and I've only made one bogey in two rounds."
McIlroy meanwhile, returned to the putting green searching for some inspiration.
"If I can just keep giving myself chances like today and convert a few more I should be ok," he said.
"I feel my stroke has been pretty good. I've been working with a chalk line and a mirror for a while now, so I'll go and do that drill again.
"I suppose I just have to get my confidence up, and see a few of them going into the hole
"That's all you can do. You just have to hit it where you read it and make a good stroke.
"I'm not too far away and still in a good position going into the weekend but at the back of my mind I know that I could be a lot closer, if not ahead."
Darren Clarke made the cut on two under par after a second round 72 which was marred by a dropped shot on the last when he missed a par putt from a foot.
Peter Lawrie also made it through to the weekend on the same mark but unfortunately, Michael Hoey, Graeme McDowell and Gareth Maybin all missed the cut as did Damien McGrane.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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