Peter Cowen: Rory McIlroy revving up as Ryder Cup approaches

I was so impressed with Rory McIlroy’s all-round game last week at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational at Memphis

Now that I am back in Rotherham after watching Rory in action in the US, it is a good time to take stock of my players and their progress on tour.

I always check all my players’ statistics every week on the PGA Tour and Rory’s longest drive last week was in was in fifth place.

His average driving distance was above 320 yards in second place, and the most remarkable statistic of the week was that Rory was second in driving accuracy for the week behind KH Lee of South Korea. In approaches to the green Rory was tied in third place.

Given these facts why did he not win and only finish tied-12th? Sadly, Rory finished 57th of 65 in the overall putting stats.

I have always said that putting is perhaps too important in the game of golf and perhaps a putt should only count for half a shot or the like. It is certainly worth a conversation in these times of different formats to mix up the interest in the game.

Statistics, available on the tours and especially the PGA Tour for players, coaches, managers and fans are quite fascinating.

There are 58 tables for the category of driving only, including the following: Longest drives, percentage of fairways hit at various lengths, plus radar readings for club head Speed and ball speed.

With the approach section, there are 48 tables. Around the green, has 14 tables, while the all-important putting category there are a remarkable 94 tables.

Every week on the PGA Tour it seems that books of statistics of all players, rounds, percentages and scores are created but, in my opinion, they should only be used as a guide and trends and show areas to focus on for all players.

It always makes for an interesting few hours read while waiting for another plane and fortunately they are not printed out these days.

As I speak to you from my Rotherham range I am waiting for Danny Willett to come over for practice. My schedule for the rest of the season is still a little in the air as my players are not all sure of their own schedules.

I will attend the Omega European Masters at Crans-Sur-Sierre, Switzerland on the European Tour at the end of August. I might possibly go to the last event of the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour depending on where my players sit.

I will be at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, which should have a very strong field and is the final qualifying event for the Ryder Cup for the European Team. Please all note that it is only 41 days until the first ball is struck in anger at this year’s competition.

I am hopeful to have four players on the plane along with captain Padraig Harrington to look after at the Ryder Cup in Wisconsin from September 24-26: Rory, Matt Fitzpatrick and, fingers crossed, Ian Poulter for the European Team and Brooks Koepka for the US Team.

Then to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and a much needed holiday break in Dubai in early October and then returning to Dubai in November to Jumeirah Golf Estates and the Earth Course for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

Another year older and another season almost complete. I cannot wait to see all my friends in Dubai again, it has not been an easy time for any of us and I have really missed Dubai.