After shooting a 4-over 76 in the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Rory McIlroy remarked, “I don’t want to say something I’ll regret.”
Because of how difficult Bay Hill was playing, McIlroy was frustrated. He didn’t want to use the word “unfair” to describe the course layout, but after another 76 on Sunday, he described it as “crazy golf.”
“To be honest, I’m punch drunk,” he said after finishing his final round. “It’s like crazy golf on the weekends.” Good shots aren’t rewarded in any way. As though I’m venting, frustrated, and whatever else. I believe the irritation stems from the fact that it’s a carbon replica of what’s transpired in the last three years here.”
This time, McIlroy was in the lead after 18 holes after shooting a 65. He finished in a tie for 13th place after shooting 72-76-76.
He went 66-71-72-76 in 2021. He went 66-73-73-76 in 2020.
On the weekend, many courses play a little tougher, but McIlroy believes the Bay Hill team is taking it up a notch or two.
“I believe that’s simply a golf-course layout issue, and perhaps just trying to make it a little less penal when you miss, I suppose.” When you miss, the penalty isn’t any less severe. I don’t mind golf courses penalizing you for missing, but it doesn’t reward good strokes. He said, “I think that’s when it starts to cross the line.”
McIlroy wasn’t the only one who was frustrated.
“I’m delighted I’m no longer on the golf field.” Gary Woodland, who went from outright leader to T-5 after finishing eagle-double bogey-bogey, stated, “I’m glad I’m done.”
“We know the weekends are very hard here,” said Tyrrell Hatton, the 2020 API champion, who finished T-2 on Sunday after shooting one of only four rounds under par.
“I think the greens get so fast at times that pin positions appear cruel.” And, as I previously stated, you must play defensively and try to bring the ball as close to the goal as possible.”
“They need to do something about it,” McIlroy added. There are a number of guys who are staying away this week in order to prepare for next week.”
The Players Championship, with a $20 million purse, is coming up soon. Despite any weekend issues, all of the aforementioned claimed they are confident in their games (Hatton shot 78 in Round 3, ahead of his closing 69). At TPC Sawgrass, a huge opportunity awaits.
There isn’t much time to recover from the Bay Hill thrashing, but it’s all that’s required.
“I just need a day off tomorrow to forget about what happened this week,” McIlroy, the 2019 Players champion, said.
