The Álvaro Quirós of today now hits it shorter off the tee.
Sometimes he is almost 10 metres shorter with the driver, although his average is still over 274 meters, according to official statistics on the European Tour.
The statistics, the numerical score charts that demand mathematical rigor must never be forgotten. However, even data provided by the European Tour is not 100% reliable, as the drive measured is only based on two holes per round.
However, anyone who has seen him live can confirm the data. Álvaro, who is still a big hitter, is now a little shorter off the tee.
The question is what came first: the chicken or the egg? Is he shorter because he felt he needed better rhythm to hit more fairways or to protect his wrists and back? Or rather because the injuries to his wrists and back have limited his power? The answer is complicated. In 2014 there was certainly an intention to play a more controlled drive, especially in the first few tournaments of the season, when recurring back pain prevented him from letting full rip … One thing has led to another.
It doesn´t really matter. At the end of the day he is now hitting more greens in regulation. The statistics show during these four months, he is hitting an average of 13.5 greens in regulation per round, an improvement of one green per round – which over the four days can be worth its weight in gold.
The new Álvaro Quirós still needs more help on the greens. His putting stats for 2014 are perhaps the worst in his entire career.
It is improving, proof in his latest results: 5th in South Africa, 13th in Malaysia & 3rd in China. But he is still plagued by those short putts – from five feet. I get the feeling today that he seems to stroke them with more determination than a few months ago, put his head is not clear, like he says to me. ¨Even when I am putting really well from these distances I am not feeling confident.¨
Two conclusions and the moral of the story…
1. A slight but noticeable loss of distance has not had an adverse impact on his game. In fact, it has actually enabled him to hit more greens in regulation. Moreover, it is also having a positive benefit on his physical condition. However, make no make mistake his swing is still electric, perhaps even frantic. And will remain so for always – it´s in his DNA.
2. Mixed feelings on the greens, means he is still suffering on short putts. Winning this battle is more emotional than physical, and is what separates us from Quirós and top-50 in the world.
And the moral of the story, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
