Rory McIlroy can't capitalize on early birdies as drought persists - ESPN

HOYLAKE, England — Rory McIlroy tried again, but it wasn't enough.

Nine shots out of the lead entering Sunday, the four-time major winner began his final round by making three birdies in the first six holes — just like he did Saturday — and giving himself an outside shot at making a run for the Claret Jug. But any glimmer of hope for a McIlroy comeback and a win for the ages vanished over the next 12 holes.

When the putts stopped going in and the drives and approach shots lost their sharpness, McIlroy, drenched in Liverpool's rain, finished The Open in sixth place, seven shots back of eventual winner Brian Harman and without a major championship for the ninth year in a row.

«It was just hard,» McIlroy said. «I needed to go out and shoot something 63, 64-ish, but really hard to do that in those conditions.»

McIlroy, like he has done all year, was in the hunt despite not reaching his full potential in every round. He ranked seventh in the field in strokes gained on approach shots and sixth in strokes gained off the tee. His putting and short game (54th in strokes gained putting, 75th in strokes gained around the green) were not debilitating, but they were simply not good enough to give him a true shot to win Sunday.

«I missed a few putts yesterday. Felt like I putted better today,» McIlroy said.

The putting was only one issue. The rain and wind didn't allow McIlroy to be as aggressive as he could have been with his biggest weapon: the driver.

«Very reluctant to hit the driver because the club face gets wet and the ball could go anywhere,» McIlroy said. «I had to lay back off tees and try to play as conservatively and as smart as possible.»

Still, McIlroy gave himself opportunities on the green that he couldn't capitalize