Rory McIlroy had two stellar rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational: The Ulsterman fired a second-round 67 and a final-round 65. Unfortunately, his first and third-round efforts were considerably less stellar: McIlroy carded a pair of sloppy 75s, in which he tallied a stymieing five double bogeys en route to a T27 finish.

Following his final round, the 26-year-old attributed the high scores and spate of big numbers to what’s going on between his ears, rather than any swing-related issues.  

“These high scores, I know it’s nothing to do with my game, really. It’s nothing to do with me technically. It’s more mental.”

“I’m beating myself up over mistakes that I’m making on the course and then I’m not letting myself get over it so that it sort of lingers there for the next few holes.”

We aren’t sports psychologists here at GolfWRX, but the importance of focusing on the shot at hand and not dwelling on previous strokes is critical to playing golf well, as all average golfers and casual sports fans would likely agree.

McIlroy indicated that things can go south in a hurry when you start penciling in doubles (indeed!). For example, he was 2-under through his first eight holes in Round 3 at Bay Hill. Three double bogeys in his final 11 holes landed him at 3-over for the day, and he signed for a Saturday 75.   

Rory cynically referred to his “customary double bogey” in his post-final-round press conference, offering this sober assessment of his week.

I’ve had more double bogeys this week than I’ve had bogeys….If I can limit the mistakes. I felt like I was on the right road to doing that at Doral. But this week it sort of popped its head up again. I just need to — lot of great stuff in there and if I can limit those mistakes.

This week what I’ve done is I’ve let it linger. I’ve mentally not been able to get over it and I haven’t bounced back. That’s why there was two 75s in there because it was nothing technically or anything else. I feel like my game is in great shape. Really good with my putting. Good with all aspects of my game, really, so mentally being better and not being so hard on myself.

Staggering admissions from a multiple major winner and the former No. 1 golfer in the world. However, with this from Rory, plus Jason Day’s talk of reaching out to Tiger Woods for help with his mental game and clinging to an on-course attitude of “patience” and “aggression” this week at Woods’ behest, we’re delivered a poignant reminder: Even the world’s best golfers can struggle with the basics of the mental game in the crucible of tournament conditions.