Arnold Palmer Invitational: No. 1 Rory McIlroy stays in the moment

ORLANDO — The old chestnut that seven days is a long time in politics is no less true in sports. Just ask Rory McIlroy.

When he came to the Arnold Palmer Invitational two years ago, McIlroy was lost, 18 months removed from his last win and enduring a miserable run of form marked by mediocre putting. That week in 2018 began Monday with a putting lesson from veteran PGA Tour player Brad Faxon. It ended Sunday with victory at Bay Hill, sealed with the finest putting performance of his career.

“I feel like this place has a lot of special memories to me,” the four-time major winner said on Wednesday. “It was definitely the catalyst to sort of do what I’ve done over the past two years and ascend back to the top of the world rankings.”

Before that ’18 win, McIlroy had slumped to No. 13 in the world. A solid showing this week will keep him at No. 1 for the 100th week of his career, making him only the third golfer after Tiger Woods and Greg Norman to spend triple-digit weeks as No. 1. Just such a solid showing seems almost ordained: in five starts this season, McIlroy’s worst finish is tied fifth.

“From a mental perspective the consistency and showing up every week even when I don’t have my best stuff I’m able to still get in the mix and have a shot at winning tournaments,” he said. “So mentally over these last few years I’ve definitely gotten better. More stability in my life. There’s a lot of different things that go into it. But, yeah, just a lot more comfortable with where everything is.”

The only thing more predictable than McIlroy being in contention every time he plays is the rite of spring in which he faces questions about the Masters. A win at Augusta National 39 days from now would complete a career grand slam for the 30-year-old. His upcoming tournament schedule — he’s playing five of the next six weeks plus hosting a ‘thank you’ gathering for his sponsors in his off week — hints at a desire to remain busy in the run-up to the most scrutinized week of his year.

“For some people it starts the Monday they arrive at Augusta. For some people it started in January,” he said when asked when Masters preparation begins. “I think it’s different for everyone. For me, what I realized is I can’t make things too big in my head. If I started to gear up in January, by the time Augusta got around in April my head would be absolutely fried. I try to push it out as late as possible. I’ve got four tournaments to play between now and then and my biggest concern and my top priority are those four tournaments.”

Rory McIlroy and Vijay Singh ahead of the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Looming farther down the road is the Olympics, where he is expected to play for Ireland. Having skipped the Rio Games over concerns about the Zika virus, McIlroy admitted he’s keeping a wary eye on coronavirus and its potential impact but is putting his fate in the hands of those who know best. “If the organizers and the Olympic Committee believe it’s safe enough that athletes can go and compete in the Games, then you have to take their word for it,” he said. “They’re obviously liaising with the people that are the best at doing this, whether it’s the CDC in this country, whether it’s the World Health Organization, whatever it is. If they’re talking to those people then those people are the best in their field, then you have to trust that their judgment is the right one.”