We’ve been here before. Thirty-three times, in fact. Rory McIlroy, the greatest player of his generation, gearing up for yet another major to add to his four-and-holding. Thirty-three times he’s teed it up in a major since winning the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and 33 times, he’s walked off the course without a trophy.
Seven times he’s left before the weekend, and every time he’s been listed among the “Notables missing the cut” posts that show up on Saturday mornings. But 19 times, he’s played his way into the top 10, an average of more than twice a year.