There’s an old adage in golf that says, “You drive for show and putt for dough.” The meaning is quite simple and utterly straightforward—how one starts a hole at the tee is important but how one putts when leaving the putting green is ultimately more important in determining who likely wins a given professional event.
In the last year or so world No. 1 Rory McIlroy has taken that phrase and twisted its meaning ever so slightly. McIlroy has won two of his last three starts on the PGA Tour. The most recent win came at last week’s Wells Fargo Championship where he dismantled a demanding Quail Hollow Golf Club with a new course record 61 in the third round—besting his own 62 from a few years back—with a new tournament record -21 for the event. He totally vanquished the rest of the field with a resounding seven-shot triumph.
What’s been the separator for the Ulsterman? Simple. Superior driving time after time after time. Unlike a number of other players who only hit their driver when circumstances are in their favor—McIlroy has used his to uncanny success—marrying prodigious distance with a solid accuracy percentage and finding fairways regularly when called upon in key moments.
McIlroy’s Muscle: Drive for Show—and for Dough!
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Top-ranked golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland does most of his damage with his driver. David Cannon/Getty Images
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M. James Ward
Author
Ward is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Met Golf Writers Association. He has covered over 100 major championships and 12 Ryder Cup Matches. His golf acumen extends to architecture/travel, equipment, apparel, and general interest stories as well as in-depth interviews with the leading participants and influencers in the sport.
