There are few words that can effectively summarise the scale of the drama that unfolded in Augusta yesterday, but epic comes close. It was a tale of anguish, courage and passion and those who savoured the thrilling climax last night will probably still be bewildered today. It seemed as though it would be a relative formality, so long as McIlroy held his nerve a solid 70 would theoretically be enough to see him home and dry. However, as precociously talented as the young man from Northern Ireland is, his round yesterday was a Holywood horror story.
The nervy bogey at the first, the missed birdie that followed swiftly afterwards indicated that all was not right. McIlroy's distractors have often cited that his weakness with his putter would be cruelly exposed in the crucible of pressure that comes with Sunday at a Major. The intensity was significantly amplified by the fact he had what seemed to be an unassailable lead. Despite the plaudits that should rightly go to Charl Schwartzel, this will be remembered as the Masters that McIlroy lost.
He was magnaminous in defeat but the pain of what could have been will still be there. Whether it is a scratch or a deeper wound has yet to be seen, but the affect of this scar could well define a career. Similarly to Sergio Garcia, McIlroy is a natural talent, a phenomenal ball striker and tee to green one of the best in the world. Garcia led the 2007 Open by three shots from Stricker and six from the rest of the field. But as he faltered and his lead evaporated he crumbled on 18th green failing to get up and down to win outright and eventually lost the playoff. Whisper it quietly the vbrilliant Spaniard believes he may be cursed, I pray McIlroy does not harbour similar notions.
It was his inexperience that cost him and I would love to know the conversation he had with his caddy on the fringes of 10th fairway. Having suffered a bit of misfortune when his tee shot careered off a tree he successfully steered himself back into play. The sensible option would have been to lay up, attempted to hit a stiff wedge and sink the putt for bogey. Instead he attempted to get to the green and sent his approach way left. What followed will haunt his nightmares for years to come, or will it?
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| Schwartzel finished with a stunning run of four birdies |
If McIlroy puts this experience down to a growing learning curve and a lack of golfing maturity he will surely lessen the future impact of this on his game. Personally, I think had he entered the final day a single shot clear or even just two his mindset may well have been different. He may have lacked such expectancy and had less additional pressure applied by the media. However, in the end it was a scintillating performance by Schwartzel that began and finished in explosive fashion that won the day. Fifty years after Gary Player's inaugural victory it seems a fitting conclusion. As for Rory...I quite fancy his chances at the Open.
