It has been quite a while since Rory McIlroy was in serious contention to win a PGA Tour event and that bleak reality is reflected in his world ranking these days.
An intriguing sub-plot at this week’s Wells Fargo is the fact Rory tees it up for the first time since missing the cut at the Masters four weeks ago.
And the four-time major winner will be hoping to lay down a marker after slipping to 15th in the world, his lowest ranking in more than a decade.
The last time Rory was as low as this was in November 2009 when he was No17.
Truth be told, we shouldn’t be too surprised given he’s had a run of three missed cuts in his last six outings and only three top-10s in nine worldwide starts this year.
The fact he was top of the world 10 months ago seems like a distant memory now and a slide to 15th is massive in such a relatively short space of time.
It will also irk that he’s now only fourth top ranked European behind Jon Rahm (3), Tyrrell Hatton (8) and Viktor Hovland (11).
It’s crucial Rory starts looking upwards again and a big positive for him is the fact the Wells Fargo Championship is the ideal tournament for him to kickstart his season.
McIlroy was the tournament’s youngest winner in 2010, while he also holds the course record of 61 from his second win at Quail Hollow in 2015.
While Rory’s recent form has shunted him under a spotlight, new coach Pete Cowan’s influence will also come under scrutiny in North Carolina.
Player and coach have had a month working together post-Masters, so what improvements or visual changes can we expect in Rory’s game and swing? It’ll be fascinating to see.
I believe McIlroy is in an interesting space at the moment and the next couple of years could define the trajectory of his career over the next decade.
The chasing pack is younger and he is now a father in his early-30s, so how he adapts to that changing landscape and dynamic will be key.
In order to be the best, you have to be ruthless and selfish and it’s difficult squaring that approach with parenthood.
I’m not thinking hours on the range, I’m talking about being single minded enough to prioritise career above family. It’s tough.
Compromise tends to undermine at the top end of the sport where the margins are miniscule and that’s a balance Rory’s going to have to strike.
If he retired now, McIlroy would be a Hall of Famer, but we all know he has the talent to do much more.
He has the potential to go on and double his majors tally.
Let’s hope for positive signs as he renews his love affair with Quail Hollow.
It’s a shame but Shane’s doing it right
Shane Lowry’s decision to base himself in the States and concentrate more on the PGA Tour is the right decision for him at this stage of his career.
The impact of the global pandemic has altered how many players, who previously juggled the dizzying demands of playing on both tours, manage and view their careers.
The gap between the PGA and European tours is now bigger than ever and sadly it makes perfect sense for Lowry to reach the decision he has.
It is not just the logistical issues around Covid or a lack of transatlantic travel that might influence players to choose America over Europe at the moment. The biggest factor is off the course.
Shane currently lives in Jupiter in close proximity to The Bear’s Club near Palm Beach and that part of Florida is where most of the top tour players are based.
So while Ireland wrestles with wind and rain, Lowry gets to practise at a state of the art facility and hang out with the world’s best.
When your bounce games are in Florida with the likes of Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy, it’s a damn sight better than playing a round with Gary Murphy at the K-Club.
With all due respect to me.
We all know Shane’s A-game is good enough to win major titles, but consistency and bringing it week after week are key to securing further titles.
Basing himself in Florida and practising at the exclusive Bear’s Club, which could host a PGA Tour event tomorrow, will give himself the best chance of hitting those standards moving forward.
I hope the next few months see Lowry climb back up the world rankings – he currently lies 45th – and into Ryder Cup contention.
If Padraig Harrington can have a major champion as a rookie at Whistling Straits, it would augur well for Team Europe’s hopes of retaining the trophy.
It’s clear Lowry feels settled off the course in the States, with wife Wendy and four-year-old daughter Iris, and that can only bring out the best of him on the course.
Don’t get me wrong – Shane is a homebird and Ireland will always be home to him.
But Florida makes perfect sense now as he stares at a golden period of his career.
I’M backing the Irish to help us cash in at this week’s Wells Fargo.
Rory McIlroy celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday and he loves playing at Quail Hollow, where he boasts a course record 61.
Shane Lowry is also in a good place after a recent solo eighth at Sawgrass, T21 at the Masters and T9 in his last outing at the RBC Heritage.
On the European Open front, keep an eye out for Adri Arnaus who tees it up at the Canary Islands Championship after a T8 at last week’s Tenerife Open.
Betting slip
WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP
Rory McIlroy – 16/1 EW: Loves the course and this could be his biggest price for the rest of the regular season.
Joaquin Niemann – 35/1 EW: Went close to a win in recent weeks and has the all-round game to compete at Quail Hollow.
Shane Lowry – 45/1 EW: Lowry has a great chance to shine on his fourth appearance at the Wells Fargo.
CANARY ISLANDS CHAMPIONSHIP
Adri Arnaus – 29/1 EW: Laid down a marker in Tenerife last week and is capable of kicking on.
Mike Lorenzo Vera – 40/1 EW: Maybe just blind faith at this stage after missing the cut in Tenerife, but you never know...
Adrian Otaegui – 44/1 EW: Mixed bag of recent results, but Spaniard has skill set to be in the mix on Sunday.
