Time moved on today, as it always does for players on tour. Rory McIlroy flew to Switzerland for a payback date with Sergio Garcia; Pádraig Harrington returned home to Dublin, for a different kind of date in providing his wisdom about life on tour; Darren Clarke reverted to his role as Ryder Cup captain, analysing the latest statistics of how his team for Hazeltine is shaping up; and Graeme McDowell moved on to Canada.
Of the Irish quartet who were part of Sunday's magical final day of the British Open, McDowell is the only one scheduled to play again this week, in the Canadian Open. For the others - and for Shane Lowry, who missed the cut - this is a week to unwind for a few days before preparing to get back inside the ropes again next week at the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol. These Majors are coming thick and fast.
McDowell is into the fifth straight tournament of a six-week stretch on the road, all aimed at securing a place on Clarke’s team for the Ryder Cup. He has a lot of work to do to claim an automatic place, or to catch the captain’s eye for a ‘wild card’ pick. The Northern Irishman is 41st on the Ryder Cup European points list, and 18th on the world list which offers him the best shot at leapfrogging those above him.
“It’s going to be weird teeing it up in Baltusrol (in another Major so quickly) but I’m focused on Canada first. I’m at that point of the year where I feel like I’m playing well and I need a big week. Every week’s a big week now for me. So, I’m focused hard on the RBC and then we’ll switch out focus back to the last Major of the year,” said McDowell, who struggled with his putting throughout the British Open.
McDowell - hoping that getting back to purer greens on the PGA Tour will resolve his putting issues - insisted: “Tee-to-green I’m very happy with what I’m seeing. I’ve been working hard on my ball flight and like what I’m seeing. “I’ve got my cut back in the bag, which is what I’ve been working hard on. I’m happy that I’ve that shot back.”
For Harrington, this week will be mainly focused on pitching practice in switching back from links terrain to parkland turf. “I’ll do a bit of work on my pitching, everything else is pretty strong,” said the Dubliner, who, having just completed four straight weeks, will be back in action next week at the PGA, followed by the Travellers Championship and then the Olympics in Rio. “It’s okay to play a lot of tournaments at the moment because I’ve nothing to fix,” he said.
And, after a 46-year-old and a 40-year-old were involved in a duel of the ages down the stretch at Troon, Harrington is convinced that it will only be a matter of time before someone in their 50s will win a Major. “I believe I’m going to do it,” said Harrington, who will be 45 next month. “Look, Phil (Mickelson) ain’t slowing down in terms of his physical ability to hit the golf ball. I’m not slowing down . . . . where guys were retiring at 32 and 34 just before I started playing golf, and it’s not like that at all. More and more guys are fit and strong, coming up to their 50th. “
McIlroy spent Monday in Switzerland at a charity day supporting Sergio Garcia’s charitable foundation, a payback for the Spaniard playing in the Irish Open at Royal County Down last year. McIlroy - tied-fifth in Troon - has focused on the PGA as his final shot at winning a Major this year. , “I want to win. I want to play well,” he said.
