The Open 2012: World No.2 Rory McIlroy left frustrated by poor form

RORY McILROY last night admitted he’s struggling to escape the deep frustration he is feeling after toiling again at The Open.

RORY McILROY last night admitted he’s struggling to escape the deep frustration he is feeling after toiling again at The Open.

The world No.2 was out of contention before the start of his third round but things got worse as he fought his game all through a flat 73.

McIlroy has failed to fire at the Majors since his success in the US Open a year ago and his recent form has been poor.

The Northern Irish superstar has spent hours on the range with coach Michael Bannon trying to iron out his ills.

But he continues to struggle and he said: “I got off to a bad start and couldn’t really do much from there.

“There is just a lack of consistency with my swing and from there it’s tough.

“When you’re not confident in the shots you’re trying to hit then it is tough to trust it.

“I was up for it this morning trying to go out there and post a good score. But after playing the front nine like I did you’re just trying to shoot the best score you can.

“For me on the day that was only a 73 and I’m frustrated.

“I suppose that’s the way it is and that’s golf. You just have to get on with it, keep trying and practising and stay patient until it turns around.”

It seems unthinkable that McIlroy would not be surprised by his struggles at Royal Lytham but that was the case for the deflated kid.

Having scrapped superbly on Thursday to put himself in the early picture, the wheels came off spectacularly over the next 36 holes.

This morning he’ll be out with the also-rans as the pacesetters are having their breakfast. And that is not a situation that sits comfortably with McIlroy.

Having posted just one birdie yesterday, he said: “Thursday was good and then all of a sudden I just started not to trust it and it sort of spiralled downwards from there.

“To be honest, I’m getting used to it as the last few weeks haven’t been great. I just have to keep working hard and hopefully it will turn around.

“Every tournament or every Major that you don’t play well in or you don’t win is a chance missed.”