Can McIlroy regain his major form?

Can McIlroy regain his major form?

By Michael Gales Apr 3, 2014

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With the 2014 golf major season about to start, Pinnacle Sports are offering odds on how many majors Rory McIlroy will win this season. After struggling in 2013, can McIlroy add to his two major tournament wins in 2014?

Can McIlroy put 2013 issues behind him?

2013 was a season to forget for the former World No 1  – a year that involved a big legal case, a change of club provider, a slide from No1 to No 6 in the world rankings, plus the public-relations disaster of a mid-tournament walk off.

Part of McIlroy’s downfall in 2013 could be attributed to his switch from Titleist clubs – which had served him well in his ascent to the top of the world rankings – to Nike.

In a playing sense a look at the stats table below highlights that his driving deserted him in the first part of this year, while his putting regressed, all of which contributed to a lack of confidence – in fact all of the key stats below suffered compared to his performance in 2012.

McIlroy’s year by year stats

Rory McIlroy’s Stats

2011

2012

2013

Total driving (Yards)

307.2

310.1

302.2

Greens in regulation

68.30%

66.36%

65.45%

Proximity to the hole

32’1″

33’0″

35’6″

Scrambling

53.61%

60.24%

54..68%

Strokes gained putting

-.129

-.087

-.109

His performance in the four majors was disappointing, as he finished inside the top 10 just once – at the PGA Championship in August.  With a clear head off the field and a full year under his belt with the Nike clubs, is 2014 the year for McIlroy to win at least one major?

Will McIlroy’s spring hibernation hinder or help?

In the lead up to the first major of the year McIlroy initiated a self-imposed spring hibernation. In being very selective when and where he has played the 24-year-old has played just four tournaments (at the time of writing).

The reason being that by carefully mapping out a schedule his focus has been very much on major golf. Given he hasn’t played much McIlroy is looking for his first win of the year. Following his success in the Australian Open in December, he has knocked on the door a number of times this season – finishing runner-up twice, in Abu Dhabi and the Honda Classic.

Will the lack of competitive golf hinder McIlroy in his search for major success in 2014 or will it have given him the breathing space away from the limelight to fine-tune his game?

McIlroy’s major statistics

In 21 majors competed in, McIlroy averages a top ten finish in 33% of tournaments – he hasn’t however finished inside the top 10 of a major event more than once since 2010.

Interesting information for bettors is that McIlroy has rarely been consistent throughout his career – even as an amateur. This is highlighted when comparing his cuts missed data with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson – McIlroy has missed two more cuts than Woods and one less than Mickelson despite playing 49 and 64 less major events than the pair respectively.

If you think McIlroy’s problems will continue in 2014, odds of 1.435* suggest he will fail in his bid for a third major title. However, if you believe McIlroy’s form will return, one major win can be backed at 3.560*, while two wins are at 12.500*, and if you think he can replicate Woods’ treble in 2000 it is available at 46.550*.

McIlroy’s record in majors

Major

Events

Wins

Top 5 Finish

Top 10 Finish

Missed Cut

Masters

5

0

0

0

4

U.S. Open

5

1

1

2

2

British Open

6

0

1

1

1

PGA Championship

5

1

3

4

0

Overall

21

2

5

7

7

Click here to bet on Rory McIlroy’s 2014 major props.

*Odds subject to change

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