Rory McIlroy: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?
By Tim Letcher
Rory McIlroy is a two-time FedEx Cup champion and one of the best players in the world. Can he become the first player to win three FedEx Cups?
With the 2020 portion of the PGA Tour schedule in the books, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at the current top 50, and some selected others, in the current FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 37, Rory McIlroy.
Best career FedEx Cup finish: McIlroy is one of only two players (the other is Tiger Woods) who has won the FedEx Cup more than once. McIlroy won the FedEx Cup in 2016 and 2019. He’s also finished second in 2012 and third in 2014.
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So far this season: McIlroy has only played in four tournaments so far this season. However, he has made those starts count, with top 25 finishes in each start.
His season started at the U.S. Open, where he shot 67 in the first round to be firmly in the mix. However, he shot a 76 on Friday and seemingly took himself out of contention. But a 68 on Saturday got him back within striking distance. But he shot a 75 on Sunday to finish in a tie for eighth place.
A clear pattern was developing for McIlroy.
After taking nearly a month off, McIlroy returned at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek. His first-round 73 was a less than stellar start. However, he rebounded with a 69 on Friday and a 66 on Saturday to get back within shouting distance of the leader. But, as he did in the U.S. Open, he shot a bad final round, in this case a 74, to finish in a tie for 21st place.
The following week, McIlroy played Sherwood Country Club and the Zozo Championship. Another faulty first round plagued him, as he shot a 73. He followed that with a 67-67-66 to rally and finish in a tie for 17th place. He also broke a club during one of his rounds.
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It was the same story at the Masters. A 75 in the first round left him well back in the field. He came back with a 66 on Friday and a 67 on Saturday. A 69 on Sunday left him in a tie for fifth and still needing a Masters title for the career Grand Slam.
The verdict: McIlroy is one of the best players on the planet. He’s won the FedEx Cup before and can win it again. He’s a big-time contender.