Rory McIlroy’s return to the golf course at the Canadian Open didn’t exactly go too well as he slipped well down the field and he’s admitted he’s struggling with one particular club right now.
The Masters winner returned in Canada after a few weeks away from the game but didn’t play well, shooting an opening round 71 to fall some ten shots off the pace.
With day two to come, McIlroy knows he’ll need much better in order to not only get in contention, but also make the cut.
McIlroy has spoken of playing the Canadian Open as prep for the US Open next week but so far, it’s not been ideal.
Indeed, it seems McIlroy has a number of issues to work on and he’s admitted that one club in particular is causing him a big headache right now.
Rory McIlroy names the club that he’s having problems with at the Canadian Open
If you’re Rory McIlroy right now, there’s not too much to be worrying about in life after achieving a career grand slam and remaining one of the star names in all of golf.
However, in terms of winning in Canada, things need to improve and speaking about his plans to practice more after his opening round, McIlroy conceded that the driver is giving him problems right now.
“Weather permitting, if it holds off, I’ll go hit some balls,” McIlroy said when asked if he’d be practicing.
“It’s hard with the driver, like with the one I had been playing with previously, when I missed with it, I was a little bit left. Then my miss with this one is a little bit right. It’s just trying to figure that out and manage it a little bit.
“It’s a nice feeling to get up the middle of the fairway and fully release it and know it’s not going to go left on you. Yeah, a little bit of practice this afternoon and get ready for tomorrow.”
| Tournament | Final position |
| AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Winner |
| The Genesis Invitational | T17 |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | T15 |
| The Players Championship | Winner |
| Texas Children’s Houston Open | T5 |
| The Masters | Winner |
In terms of the actual course in what were wet conditions at TPC Toronto, McIlroy actually believed he played the course quite well.
“They’re soft. From when we got here earlier in the week, the ball was definitely running on the fairways. Obviously it’s not anymore. And these greens are quite undulating, and depending on where they cut the holes, you really have to control your spin,” McIlroy added.
“I actually felt like I did a pretty good job of that today. Hopefully that’s the end of the rain, and it can firm up a little bit. Yeah, overall, look, it’s a very gettable golf course, especially with how soft it is.
“I’m going to have to, as I said, do a little bit better tomorrow to be here for the weekend and give myself a chance.”
Rory McIlroy’s driving stats in round one of the Canadian Open
As McIlroy points out here, it wasn’t his best day with the driver and if that club isn’t firing for Rory, then it does seem to affect his whole game.
He was T85 in driving accuracy for the day while even his driving distance – so often his biggest weapon – saw him down in 47th for the round.
McIlroy was down in 52nd in strokes gained off the tee and overall, the combination of these statistics is not going to do him much good.
Couple those driving stats with only making 50% of greens in regulation and the fact he was 143rd in strokes gained around the green, and it just about sums up a miserable day for McIlroy.
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