AS RORY MCILROY prepares to bring the curtain down on his season at the DP World Tour Championship tomorrow, the world number two admits he was ‘too proud’ and ‘too stubborn’ to seek help with his putting.
On the face of it, the four-time Major winner enjoyed a satisfactory year. He won three times over the course of 2016 after victories at the Irish Open, Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship.
But, by McIlroy’s lofty expectations and standards, failure to add to his Major collection renders this season a disappointment.
He missed the cut at the US Open in June and then the PGA Championship in July. At the Masters and Open, his struggles on the green meant he was never in contention; but he learned a valuable lesson during those chastening weeks.
In August, McIlroy put his pride to one side and teamed up with putting coach Phil Kenyon in a bid to rectify the short game problems which were undermining the rest of his game.
It proved to be a turning point in his season.
“I was too stubborn, I wanted to figure it out on my own… Sometimes you need a second opinion,” McIlroy said in a press conference in Dubai.
“I got that in August and it really turned the season round for me. I have learned sometimes to not be too proud. I felt like I went long enough without asking advice on putting when that was the thing letting me down.”
While he has effectively ruled himself out of the running for the Race to Dubai title, McIlroy has enjoyed highlights throughout the year with his victory at the K Club standing out.
“It might not be the biggest tournament in the world but in my mind it is one of the biggest I play all year,” he continued.
“Majors aside, I feel like it’s been a pretty good, consistent year but going into next year, I’d like to think that my performances in the majors are going to be better.”
McIlroy is one of four players still in the hunt to secure the honour of being called Europe’s number one but he must rely on a lot of variables going his way.
The world number two must triumph in Dubai on Sunday and rely on Henrik Stenson finishing outside the top 45, Danny Willett coming in lower than fifth and Alex Noren third or below to retain the title he won 12 months ago.
McIlroy won the final event on the European Tour at the Jumeirah Golf Estates last year to claim a third Race to Dubai success, but has ruled out a repeat this time around.
“Mathematically I can win the Race to Dubai, but it’s not going to happen,” the 27-year-old added.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath. I think the three guys that are ahead of me are playing very good golf, especially the two Swedes, Henrik (Stenson) and Alex (Noren). Alex with what he’s done over the past few weeks; Henrik has had a fantastic year, and so has Danny, obviously.
“So I don’t expect those guys to play badly this week. I’m just concentrating on trying to win the golf tournament and if I can do that, I’ll be very happy.”
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