'This Time Rory Lost Because He Wasn't Quite Good Enough'
Bill Elliott pens his thoughts on Rory McIlroy's disappointing 150th Open finish
Sometimes it's not smart to be right. Sometimes you really do want to be wrong.
Driving up to this 150th Open with two colleagues the question was posed: Can Wee Rory win this one? Can he? Of course he can but he won't, was my answer.
Why? Too much expectation from too many people, especially Rory McIlroy himself. He knew that winning this one would bring him back up to Major speed, bring the 2023 Masters into sharper, finger-licking focus and much else. For Rory this St Andrews gig offered the biggest prize of his life, not just the present but the future.
Video: Things you didn't know about Rory McIlroy
Turned out I was correct but for different reasons. Rory's final round 70, two under par, was okay, not great but okay. Fact is that for Rory on a calm Sunday summer's day the realistic par of the Old Course is 68.
Not this Sunday it wasn't and up ahead of him Cameron Smith reached the turn two-under and then switched on the afterburners to come home a further six-under-par. Behind him Rory could only watch and grit his teeth.
This time he didn't lose it, didn't crumble, didn't lose his inner belief. McIlroy lost because when push came to shove, the Australian with the Metallica tribute hairstyle eloquently underlined his reputation as the best putter on the planet this year.
This time Rory lost because he wasn't quite good enough. I never expected that to be the reason. At least I was wrong about that.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Bill has been part of the Golf Monthly woodwork for many years. A very respected Golf Journalist he has attended over 40 Open Championships. Bill was the Observer's golf correspondent. He spent 26 years as a sports writer for Express Newspapers and is a former Magazine Sportswriter of the Year. After 40 years on 'Fleet Street' starting with the Daily Express and finishing on The Observer and Guardian in 2010. Now semi-retired but still Editor at Large of Golf Monthly Magazine and regular broadcaster for BBC and Sky. Author of several golf-related books and a former chairman of the Association of Golf Writers. Experienced after dinner speaker.
-
Los Angeles GC Defeat Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links GC In Commanding TGL Victory
Los Angeles GC put Woods' team to the sword, as the trio of Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala and Justin Rose closed out a dominant 12-1 victory
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
How Much Are TGL Tickets?
Interest in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL has been significant early on, with the first few weeks of action completely sold out...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Smith Blames Protege Smylie As 'Common Denominator' In Latest Slow Play Warning
Cameron Smith saw his second round crumble at the Australian Open after being put on the clock - which he appeared to partially blame on his young protege Elvis Smylie
By Paul Higham Published
-
'That's A Bull**** Excuse' - Cameron Smith Sounds Off Over 'Disappointing' Course Conditions At Australian Open
The LIV player aired his frustration over soft and slow conditions at both Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club and refused to accept recent heavy rain was primarily responsible
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
BMW Australian PGA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Cameron Smith is one of a host of big names competing at Royal Queensland Golf Club as the new DP World Tour season gets underway
By Mike Hall Published
-
'The Best Decision Of My Life' - Cameron Smith Insists He Has No Regrets Over Leaving The PGA Tour
The Australian left the PGA Tour shortly after lifting the Claret Jug at St Andrews - and he has no regrets
By Michael Weston Published
-
'It's One That I've Always Wanted' - Cameron Smith Commits To Fourth Home Event Of Australian Summer
The LIV golfer will play in his fifth home event this year after signing up for the Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club from November 28 to December 1.
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf's Cameron Smith Adds Surprising Home Event To His Schedule For The First Time
LIV Golf's Cameron Smith has signed up to play in the NSW Open Golf Championship later this year - an event Greg Norman has won four times
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
First Ever LIV Team Playoff Sees Ripper GC Claim Dramatic Home Victory Over South Africans At LIV Golf Adelaide
The deep-rooted Australia v South Africa sporting rivalry continued with a thrilling set of extra holes at The Grange
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Watch: Cameron Smith Followed Down 18 By Massive Crowd In Throwback Scenes At LIV Golf Adelaide
If anyone doubted The Australian's cult status Down Under, these pictures from LIV Golf Adelaide should clear it up...
By Jonny Leighfield Published