66th out of 68
Rory McIlroy finished the FedEx St. Jude Championship 66th out of 68 players. Eight over par. Cards of 74, 70, 72, 72. He never got a round under par at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
It was his first start since the Open Championship, nearly a month back. The world No. 2 moves on to the next playoff round, though not with much to lean on.
“I almost felt that as the week went on, I got a bit more lost with my swing,” he said. “It’s good to shake off a bit of rust, but I’m going to have to work pretty hard between now and next Thursday to feel like I’ve got a game that can compete.”
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His best club turned into his worst
The trouble ran tee to green. Driving, usually the thing he does better than anyone, was the biggest headache of the week.
McIlroy offered his own diagnosis. He had worked so hard on the mechanics that he ended up thinking about the motion instead of the shot in front of him.
Sunday brought flickers. Five birdies over his last 10 holes after a rough start. Then bogeys at 17 and 18 to close it out.
“I’m so far away from where I need to be to even feel like I’ve got a chance,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep working and hope it turns a bit.”
Four days, one coach, one course he barely knows
The plan is set. Home first, then sessions with coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond, before flying out Tuesday for Bellerive Country Club near St. Louis.
He barely knows the place. One competitive appearance there, a tie for 50th at the 2018 PGA Championship.
In the standings, the damage is minimal. McIlroy slips one spot to 13th in the FedEx Cup, well inside the top 50 who advance to the BMW Championship. The field then cuts to 30 for the Tour Championship.
The target has not moved. A fourth FedEx Cup would stretch a record he already holds outright with three. The last one came in 2022.
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