Profile / Steven Rawlings / 02 June 2009 / Leave a comment

Rory McIlroy is a wonderful golfer, of that there is no doubt, but he's been distinctly shaky in the mix of late and Steve Rawlings wonders if the Holywood star is to be trusted when going for the win...

He had a hole in one when just nine years of age, shot an incredible 61 around Royal Portrush as a 16-year-old, won umpteen amateur titles, shot the only bogey-free round on day one of the 2007 Open at Carnoustie, and has already landed a European Tour event when still a teenager. He hails from Holywood and he's already a massive star, he is of course the phenomenal Rory McIlroy. But is he a player to follow when in contention given he's always prohibitively priced? The answer so far is an unequivocal no.

Only last Sunday he started the final round three shots off the lead and trading at around [5.5], whereas multiple Tour winner Alvaro Quiros, on the same score, was trading at over three points bigger at around [8.6]. Alvaro failed, albeit narrowly, but Rory, as he had been at Wentworth the week before, was far from convincing in the mix - shooting a never threatening 75 and slumping to a lowly 12th place.

Since turning pro he's either led or been within four shots of the lead entering the final round nine times, winning just once, and his average finishing position has been ninth. On average, he's fallen back over four places and over two shots.

But as the old adage goes, there are lies, damn lies and then there's statistics, and he's a winner, which has to count for something, right?

Interestingly, his best two 'in contention' efforts preceded his win in the Dubai Desert Classic. It's hard to fault his brave attempt in Hong Kong, starting round four in fourth place and trailing by three shots, he was beaten by a wonder shot from Lin Wen-tang in a play-off.

A month later, at the South African Open, he went from fourth to third and missed out on another play-off by just one shot.

Having put in those two solid enough efforts, a little over a month later, he won in Dubai, but it was something of a struggle. He had led by six with six to play but a Justin Rose eagle, and three straight bogeys from the 15th meant that he won by just a solitary stroke.

I thought after that win that he was going to go from strength to strength; I was even prepared to forget all about the European Masters last September where he'd relinquished a four shot lead on the final day but I'm not so sure now, his efforts over the last two weeks have set alarm bells ringing.

I've nothing against young Rory, indeed he comes across as a very polite, confident and pleasant young man who will no doubt go on to win many times, but it took the likes of Nick Faldo and Padraig Harrington many years to master the art of winning and it's starting to look like it's going to take McIlroy some time too.

Don't get caught up in the hype, the prudent tactic for the time being is to avoid him or if you're brave, to take him on.