McIlroy in good position for a 2016 heist

Something is brewing for talented young golfer Rory McIlroy. The phenom has slowly built a consistent 2016 season, following a 2015 year plagued by injury, inconsistent form and an inability to perform in the majors.

Last week McIlroy played scintillating golf to win his home open, the Irish Open, firing a modest 69 on the final day.

Battling stern challenges from the likes of Russell Knox, Tyrell Hatton and Danny Willett, McIlroy played some amazing shots not reflective of his 69.

On the final day, McIlroy capitalised on the par fives, birding the par five second, tenth, 16th and eagling the 18th.

“I feel with this win I can go and replicate my summer in 2014 and win a couple of majors,” he told the BBC after his win.

McIlroy further elaborated on the confidence in his game, saying he would be “very disappointed” if he didn’t “win a major this summer”.

His performances in 2016 are similar to his summer of 2014, when McIlroy captured two major championships and a World Golf Championship, all in the space of three weeks.

Recent results show McIlroy is peaking at the right time of the year. There are no clear outliers, rather a bunch of similar, consistent results.

Perhaps the most telling sign is his career-best 81.48 per cent of ‘greens in regulation’ on the European tour. This stat clearly indicates Rory is giving himself the best possible opportunity to shoot lower scores; 81.48 per cent of the time he is on the green, putting in regulation for birdie. This means on average for more than three-quarters of his round Rory limits his scrambling (missed greens) and allows himself to putt for birdie.

As far as I know, making birdies means lower scores, which in turn leads to winning tournaments.

With a consistent, repeatable and efficient swing, Rory has a set of skills that will enable him to compete for majors and tournaments every year. Based on his performances this year, 2016 may just be the most fruitful year yet for the young man from Northern Ireland.