Alright, so yesterday I was messing around trying to figure out what the big deal was with Rory McIlroy’s missed putt at the US Open. Everyone’s talking about it, so I figured I’d dive in and see if I could understand it better.
First, I watched the replay like a million times. I mean, seriously, I must’ve rewound that thing more than a VHS tape back in the day. I watched his stance, the way he lined up, and that final stroke. Tried to get a feel for the pressure he must’ve been under.
Then, I went out to my backyard putting green. Yeah, it’s not exactly a US Open green, but it’s what I got. I set up a similar length putt – probably about 3-4 feet. Man, it looks a lot easier on TV!
I tried different things:
- I started with my usual grip. Nothing special, just how I always putt.
- Then I tried gripping the putter a bit tighter, thinking maybe that would help with control.
- After that, I loosened my grip way up, trying to feel more “touch.”
Guess what? I missed a bunch. Seriously, way more than I expected. It’s humbling, you know? Makes you appreciate just how good these pros are.
Next, I focused on my routine. I slowed everything down. Line up, take a breath, visualize the ball going in. Tried to block out all the noise and just focus on that little white ball.
That helped a little, I think. My make percentage went up, but I still missed some easy ones. The biggest thing I realized is how much pressure affects everything. When I knew I was “practicing the Rory putt,” I definitely felt more tension.
What Did I Learn?
Look, I’m no golf expert, but here’s what I took away from this little experiment:
- Putting is hard. Like, really hard.
- Pressure is a game-changer. It messes with your head and your stroke.
- Even the best players in the world miss putts. It’s part of the game.
In the end, I didn’t magically solve the mystery of Rory’s missed putt. But I definitely gained a new appreciation for the mental toughness required to compete at that level. And, honestly, it made me want to practice my putting a whole lot more.