McIlroy reflects on what could have been

Rory McIlroy

World No.2 Rory McIlroy said it was a case of what could have been at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic but added that he would be gleaning the positives from it as he looks ahead to a busy calendar down the road.
The Northern Ulsterman, who endured troublesome front nines on Friday and Saturday, conjured a much better display at the Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club on Sunday.
But McIlroy could only manage to come to within four strokes of eventual winner England's Danny Willett.
After twin four-unders sandwiching par over the three days, McIlroy fired his best round of the weekend, a seven-under 65. The overall 15-under leapfrogged him 15 spots up to a tied sixth finish.
"It's sort of a week of what could have been," McIlroy, who couldn't defend his title, reflected after the last round on Sunday.
"There was a lot of really good golf in there. I played a lot of great shots and made a lot of birdies, but just made a few too many mistakes, as well. I'll rue the two front nines that I played on Friday and Saturday. I played the combined front nine 5-over par there and if I had not done that, things could have been different. I just left myself too much to do after the first few days," he added.
Nevertheless, the way he bounced back gave confidence to McIlroy.
"I'm encouraged with the good golf that I've played. It's been good because I know what I need to work on over the next few weeks. Taking the positives from it but obviously it could have been better," said the 26-year-old.
Speaking about the final round, McIlroy said that an impressive run in the final three holes would have made matters interesting.
McIlroy had reeled off three birdies on the trot from the 13th to the 15th but could managed just another birdie on the 17th. And he was disappointed not to have signed off with a birdie on the 18th.
"Even up until I birdied 13 and 14 and 15, and I thought if I could finish, say, three, three, three, I would have a good chance and didn't do that. I birdied 17 and really wanted to at least give myself a chance for a three at the last, and not making birdie was a bit disappointing. I felt like it was on for sure, but just didn't quite do enough. I made a wrong decision off the tee not hitting driver," observed McIlroy.
McIlroy also pointed the strengths and weaknesses in his game at the moment and said that his driving and putting was still a work in progress.
"My wedge play, short game, like around the greens has been good. So, I think those things, even if I'm not hitting it as well as I'd like, those things are sort of saving me a little bit. So that's the good stuff, and iron play is pretty solid. I'm working on my driving and my putting. If everything else can stay where it is, I feel like I should get a good run in the States (USA)," he said.
For now though, McIlroy just can't wait to fly back to the US and enjoy the comfort of his own bed at home in Florida, after living out of a suitcase for the past couple of weeks.
"I'm just looking forward to spending a week in my own bed, to be honest. That will be nice for a start. It will be good, starting over there with three really good, tough events with Riviera, Honda and Doral. The scoring is relatively tough in those three tournaments, so I'm looking forward to getting into that," said McIlroy.
"Obviously, then it's the run up to Augusta, so it's an exciting part of the golf season ahead," he added.
After a week off, McIlroy will be staring at another busy few weeks, stretching to six weeks.
james@khaleejtimes.com