Tacoma, United States: Rory McIlroy endured one of the most agonising putting displays of his career at the US Open on Saturday as his hopes of a fifth major title were badly dented.
The world No. 1 started the day nine shots adrift of joint leaders Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed and sorely in need of a barnstormer of a round.
He delivered off the tee and fairways with some superb shot-making, but time and again he missed with the putter from within eight feet.
At the end of the day, two front nine birdies were matched by two back nine bogeys and McIlroy was back where he started at four over par.
“I’m hitting great shots and great drives and giving myself chances the whole time,” he said.
“So it’s just hard to stay patient whenever I’m not holing anything. I feel mentally I’ve accepted most things this week, which is good.”
The putting woes he experienced on Saturday were not new as he had gone through something similar in the two opening rounds.
And he was not alone in that amid a welter of criticism from players that the fescue grass greens are simply not up to championship standard.
Among the latest to have a go at the greens after Friday’s play was Sweden Henrik Stenson who said it felt like putting on broccoli.
Asked if he agreed, McIlroy said: “I don’t think they’re as green as broccoli. I think they’re more like cauliflower.
“Like, they are what they are, everyone has to putt on them. It’s all mental. Some guys embrace it more than others, and that’s really the way it is.
“It is disappointing that they’re not in a bit better shape.”
McIlroy, who won his first major at the 2011 US Open on the other side of the United States, said that he had not yet ruled out a final surge for the title on Sunday.
But asked if we would come out super-aggressive, he replied: “I don’t think I can.
“I’ve hit it as well as I can. And I’ve given myself plenty of chances. Just try to do the same thing and try to play the birdieable holes better.
“There are chances that you need to take advantage of out here. I’m glad my name is on the trophy at least once and I’ll try to make it twice at some point.”
