McIlroy Aims to Master Putter Control at The Open.

Posted 3 months ago

Rory McIlroy is banking on better putting form to boost his chances of contending at the Open Championship held at Royal Troon this week.

McIlroy's consistent ball-striking kept him in contention throughout the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, but his struggles on the greens cost him as he fell short in defending his last year's title.

He finished with rounds of 65, 66, 67, and 68, tying for fourth at 14 under par, four shots behind winner Robert MacIntyre.

"After my final round in Scotland, I feel like I've knocked off some rust and gotten sharp," McIlroy told the PGA Tour website.

"For the Open, if I can get my putter working well and dial in the greens' speed, I think I'll be in a great position."

McIlroy's only Open Championship victory came at Royal Liverpool in 2014, followed a month later by his most recent major win at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The 35-year-old from Holywood, Northern Ireland, nearly ended his decade-long major drought at the recent US Open at Pinehurst, but his putting let him down at crucial moments.