Golf: McIlroy needs big turnaround to defend title

McIlroy fought gallantly during this tournament, but it will need an extraordinary turnaround in form to contend at the USPGA. Photo / AP

As Tiger Woods was maintaining his seven-stroke lead in the final round of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, Rory McIlroy was signing off with a one-over 72 that again created more questions than it answered.

The Ulsterman will arrive at Oak Hill today on the mission of defending the title he won so emphatically 12 months ago, but wondering whether he has the armoury to pull it off.

McIlroy fought gallantly during this tournament, but it will need an extraordinary turnaround in form to contend at the USPGA.

Quite simply, there are too many lapses in concentration. A slice off the 13th tee yesterday led to a double-bogey and then from the middle of the fairway, just 110m from the green after a 302m drive, McIlroy contrived to take four more for a bogey five.

Credit to him for playing the remaining five holes in one under, but a place outside the top 20, courtesy of a two-over total, was a long way short of his ambition.

Twelve months ago, he arrived in Akron on a similar slump and changed the narrative with a tie for fifth before prevailing by a record eight strokes at Kiawah Island.

There was some UK interest in the finale as Luke Donald was in the battle for the tournament not involving Woods. At eight under he was level with Keegan Bradley after eight holes, looking for his best result of the campaign so far.

Two back was the young Bristolian Chris Wood, thoroughly enjoying his debut at Firestone.

Whatever was to transpire, the 25-year-old was certain to take plenty away from Ohio. And not just financially. On Sunday he achieved a dream he has held since taking up the game as a 10-year-old.

Woods was his inspiration to first pick up a club and finally he was playing alongside the world No1. Wood shot 70 to Woods' 68, but this was about more than mere numbers on a scorecard.

"It was totally an experience for me, that," Wood said. "Just the first tee, the noise. And then again, when he chipped in on the 13th. I loved every minute of it."

So what did Wood learn? Well, he discovered that golfing alchemy is possible and it is feasible to turn a 75 into a 68. Woods drove into three fairway bunkers and struggled all day with the club that continues to be his weakness. But as much as his 61 on Saturday was impressive then so too was his third round of two under. Wood looked on in awe.

"If he misses the green, or he's out of position, it's absolute master class in damage limitation," Wood said.

"Around the greens, his up-and-downs, his short game, his scrambling. Any time he was out of position, he's either going to hole it or get it up and down. I learned a lot from him on how to score and will focus more on that area." As far as Wood is concerned, the Tiger doubters will soon receive their comeuppance.

"He'll probably prove them all wrong," he said. "I don't know how many more majors he'll win, but I'm sure he will. He was in contention at Muirfield and is gradually getting back there. Coming into this week, he'd won how many times already this season - four? There were decent events as well, with strong fields. I'm sure the time will come for him again soon." This week at Oak Hill perchance?

The one negative for Woods is his own observation that the greens are slow. Woods is not comfortable on soft putting surfaces and will pray that the greens will be normal major pace come Friday's first round. Then there is the rough, which Phil Mickelson noted as "the thickest I've seen in a long time". Woods may be able to get away with using his three wood, but accuracy will be at a premium off the tee.

Lee Westwood will be desperate to rediscover his Muirfield putting touch. The Englishman suffered on the greens at Firestone, taking 127 putts in total. Wales' Jamie Donaldson fired a fine 68 to finish on one under and in the top 20. He will head to New York State in a confident mood. Perhaps not as confident as Woods, however.