Farmers Insurance Open: The top ten performances at Torrey Pines
By Bill Felber
Five seasons back, Rory McIlroy was the consensus world’s best. Coming off victories in the British Open and PGA Championship – his third and fourth major titles – he ranked first on the money list, first in scoring and first on the European Order of Merit.
McIlroy’s game hasn’t exactly gone into hibernation since then – he did, after all, win the 2016 Tour Championship – but his results have not been as consistent. So it’s interesting to compare the performance that led to a T-5 in San Diego with his playing profile during that magical 2014 season.
At his 2014 best, driving was Mcilroy’s strength. He gained 1.367 strokes per round off the tee, an intimidating four-tenths of a stroke more than any other player. At the Farmer’s, he virtually reprised that level of advantage, picking up 1.235 strokes on the field.
Of course Mcilroy needs to drive the ball that dominantly because the other aspect of his game don’t measure up to the same standard. In 2014, his approach game was good for about six-tenths of a stroke measured against the field average.
At the Farmers Insurance Open, however, it netted him virtually no advantage whatsoever. Only a decent putter at best, he actually gave back about one-quarter stroke per round on the greens. His play around the greens was a relative strength, gaining him back about three-quarters of a stroke per round.
When McIlroy combines his steady and impressive driving skills with presentable play in at least one other skill area, he can contend. That’s what happened at Torrey Pines.