World No. 3 Rory McIlroy made some waves before the U.S. Open when it was announced that he was going to be switching to a brand-new putter, the TaylorMade Spider Tour Red.
Given the putter’s status as one of the most popular on Tour, it was expected to be the start of a beautiful relationship for the four-time major winner, who has historically been inconsistent with the flat stick.
Now, just three rounds into the new partnership, Rory might want to start seeing other putters. Despite a 3-under 67 in the first round of the Travelers Championship, a frustrated Rory said that he is giving the putter just one more week to make him a believer.
Bullets
- Rory McIlroy, who signed with TaylorMade shortly before THE PLAYERS Championship in May, filled his entire bag with their clubs when he switched to the popular TaylorMade Spider Tour Red for last week’s U.S. Open.
- McIlroy shot 78-71 at Erin Hills to miss the cut and his putting was abysmal. He lost 3.099 strokes to the field via putting in round one, before losing 2.730 strokes the field in round 2.
- The TaylorMade Spider Tour Red has been popular among the Tour’s better players, particularly with Jason Day, who led the Tour in strokes gained: putting last season with it. Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, and Jon Rahm also use it.
- Rory played great for the most part in his first round 67 at the Travelers Championship, but his short game continued to be a liability. He lost just under a stroke to the field in putting and missed five birdie putts inside of 10 feet.
- Rory has decided to give the putter just one more week, although he stressed that the putter itself is not a problem, but rather how he is using it.
On Twitter
A tweet by Golfication shows some of Rory’s struggles with his new putter.
@McIlroyRory is having a hard time dialling in the putts with his new taylor made putter. pic.twitter.com/aXsTaWmoth
— Golfication (@golfication) June 23, 2017
Quotable
“I came off the golf course a little disappointed with a 67, because I gave myself so many chances. Tee to green game is where it needs to be, it’s just a matter of converting the chances I give myself.”
–Rory McIlroy