Rory McIlroy falters in the Wells Fargo Championship - Golf News
Rory McIlroy, the defending champion of Wells Fargo Championship struggled in the first round of the US$6.5 million Professional Golf Association Tour event, which took place at the par-72 Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. He compiled
a score of 3-over par 75 to take a share in the 107th place.
The Northern Irishman who had all the eyes locked on him after the Masters’ aftermath stumbled as he stepped onto the back nine to tee off. He missed the fairway on the tenth hole, which left him to make a difficult comeback-shot
to approach the green. The player reached the green in three shots and two-putts to hole it for a bogey.
Taken down by the initial blow, McIlroy left the next four holes for the par to avoid further trouble. However, on the par-5, 15th, the 22-year-old nailed a beautiful birdie from a 20 feet fairway off the cup. The gain
wiped off the orange mark from the score-card.
Clutching a 3-wood in his hand, McIlroy walked towards the par-4, 16th. He drove the ball onto the fairway and covered the rest of the yards with a mid-iron, but could not save the par as he missed the par-putt. McIlroy
dropped one more shot and wrapped the back nine with a score of 2-over par 38.
The slow start left the defending champion in a crucial situation, in which he had to make a revival on the front. But to McIlroy’s luck, he dropped two more shots against a single birdie and sealed the front without creating a winner’s
impression. He signed for a score of 3-over par 75 and occupied the lowest section of the leader board.
Despite delivering a terrible performance, McIlroy earned healthy criticism from the critics over his putting. The rookie was appreciated for the effort he put in putting over the weekend with two-time major winner Dave Stockton.
The putting expert and the rookie worked together in the practice session to bring out a positive change, which was ultimately seen on the score-card.
Having heard some positive criticism on his short game, McIlroy said, “He helped me more with my routine without really getting into the stroke at all.”
The 22-year-old has stepped into the second round in a dangerous spot, where he might miss the cut. Three more rounds remain in McIlroy’s bag to turn tables in his favour, but we will he utilise them well to defend his title is yet
to see.
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