MAJOR QUESTIONS TO ANSWER.

The Northern Irishman continues to deliver at the highest level in regular events, but Majors still elude him. Fergus Bisset considers the excellence and exasperation of Rory McIlroy

Golf’s firmament is currently illuminated by a sparkling array of stars. In the men’s game, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler have recently dazzled, but your author would be among the many pundits who continue to believe that if and when Rory McIlroy plays his best golf, his star shines brightest. Nobody else in the pro game has the ability to hit such a selection of shots from tee to green. He can drive the ball better than almost everyone out there, pound irons shots into orbit and display a touch around the putting surfaces that seems almost preternatural.

The stats confirm his superior ability. On the PGA Tour last year, he was first in Strokes Gained: Total and second in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. And, for those who doubt his putting, he didn’t miss a single putt all season from three feet and in! Whether blasting it 350 yards or holing out from bunkers, Rory produces thrilling and compelling golf. He’s so good that every time a big event comes around, he’s a favourite.

From a competitive point of view, over the last 12 months Rory has both excelled and flattered to deceive. Viewed from a purely professional perspective, he has been hugely effective. Since successfully defending the RBC Canadian Open last June, he has won a further three times in Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) tournaments (at the time of writing). He led the DP World Tour Rankings for a fourth time last year and won the FedExCup for a third time. He reclaimed World No.1 for a spell and made close to £30 million prize money through 2022. This year, he won the Dubai Desert Classic for a third time, was runner-up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and narrowly lost in the semi-finals of the WGC Match Play. Amazing stuff.