NORTON, Mass. -- In the 477 days between Rory McIlroys last PGA Tour victory and his ultra-impressive, come-from-behind triumph at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday afternoon, hes been the subject of massive critical analysis.Hes been condemned for too few title contentions and too many back-door top-10s. Blasted for working out too much. Chided for not caring enough about his game -- or possibly caring too much. Razzed for not supporting the Olympics and castigated for comments about growing the game.Ask him which criticism is most unfair and he points to the one about his workout regimen, but quickly concedes that any judgment of his on-course performance is fair game.I dont know if any criticism is unfair, McIlroy said after a final-round 65 lifted him from a 6-stroke deficit to a 2-stroke victory. With my game, the critics and the analysts and everyone that are out there, theyre educated about golf, so they for the most part know what theyre talking about. A criticism of my golf game, I take it, and I know what I need to work on -- and sometimes those people point out the obvious.The obvious in this case was so obvious that he didnt even need to mention it. Thats because all of those criticisms put together didnt equal the negative reviews about his putting.And for good reason.By his own admission, McIlroys putting has largely been abysmal this year. If you dont believe him, just take a look at his PGA Tour ranks: Entering this week, he was 117th in putts per round, 130th in strokes gained putting, 165th in total putting, 189th in putting inside 10 feet and 193rd in three-putt avoidance.Most players would lose their cards with these numbers. McIlroy is such a good ball striker that he was simply losing tournaments.Just a week ago, he did something about it. He switched from a Nike putter to a Scotty Cameron mallet-style model and formalized a working relationship with putting guru Phil Kenyon, who has previously helped the likes of Henrik Stenson and Louis Oosthuizen.Something clicked. Check that: Everything clicked.At TPC Boston, McIlroys putting stats were a complete turnaround. He finished seventh in strokes gained putting and first in putting average, and he endured just a lone three-putt all week.To paraphrase Happy Gilmore: Somebody learned how to putt -- uh-oh.Its just incredible, this game, how quickly things can change and how quickly things can turn around, he explained. Its been a great lesson for me this week not to get down on myself, to stay patient.Those words illustrated not only his reversal on the greens but also an epic bounce-back after an inauspicious beginning to the tournament.Through his opening three holes on Friday morning, McIlroy was already 4 over par -- just two spots away from last place on the leaderboard. He played the remaining 15 holes in 4 under and then posted progressive scores of 67-66-65, all while pointing to that Friday comeback as the key component.I thought its a great opportunity being 4 over through three holes to do something that I had never done before, to be in that position and go on and win a golf tournament, he said. I think even finishing in the top 10 after that start on Friday would have been a very respectable result, but to be sitting up here and have won the tournament, Im very proud of myself for that.McIlroy cited an ever-increasing maturity level and a reluctance to get down on himself as the reasons for this weeks win. That much is true, but so is this: Just a few weeks ago, he wouldnt have been able to make this comeback because he wasnt putting well enough.Thats right. The guy who ranked so far down the list on putting ranks this season won because of his putting this week.His world-class peers took notice, too.Adam Scott: Hes remarkable because hes a bit Teflon-coated, Rory. He gets criticized a lot, everything analyzed, and hes very patient, I think, with it all. To me, it looks like he hasnt got so frustrated this year -- hes just kept doing his thing. And this week hes kind of found some magic in his fingers or something and hes holing everything.Jordan Spieth: The last two weeks, hes been on the practice green every time Ive been there, and before and after. I feel like I work hard on my putting, and hes worked as hard as anybody in the past two weeks on his putting. Its just a little bit of confidence. I mean, it seems to be working for him now.Jason Day: Over the last few days, hes obviously playing pretty well. Its been tough conditions and he thrives under these conditions with his ball striking. And if he gets hot on the greens...Day didnt need to finish that sentence.If McIlroy gets hot with his putting, this is exactly what happens: He finishes the day clutching a big trophy.That much is obvious, just as obvious as the season-long criticism about his putting -- criticism that will disappear after his long-awaited triumph. Andre Iguodala Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Nick Young Warriors Jersey . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. https://www.warriorsrookiesshop.com/Chris-Mullin-City-Edition-Jersey/ . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Stephen Curry Warriors Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Golden State Warriors Jerseys . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. After this weeks Champions Cup action, we take a look at who would make Warren Gatlands British & Irish Lions starting team if it was based on this weekends form.BACKS15 Stuart HoggFaultless against Racing 92.Few players have consistently put in a good shift at full-back this year and should Glasgow reach the Champions Cup quarter-finals, Hoggs performances should throw him in for the full-back role.14 Jack NowellExeter needed some spark in their back-line against Bordeaux in the Champions Cup and Nowell provided it. He always looked like causing danger and unfortunate not to get among the tries.13 Garry RingroseThe Leinster youngster put in some big tackles, and made some good breaks against Northampton. An outside bet but if injury puts him into the Irish team he could make the trip.12 Scott WilliamsScored the all-important try as Scarlets defeated Toulon. He was always a threat in attack and put in five tackles in defence as Toulon with the likes of Nonu and Basteraud battering at the Scarlets throughout.11 Nick AbendanonScored two tries in the opening 23 minutes for Clermont as they put Ulster to the sword. Despite the lack of international experience, has to be considered due to his phenomenal try-scoring record.10 Finn RussellHe put in an incredible performance as Glasgow defeated last years finalists Racing 92 on Friday. While Dan Carter struggled, Russell was immense, making 81 metres through 14 runs and beat 10 defenders. He also came up with a try assist.9 Ben YoungsLeicester left it late against Munster and Youngs was a lively threat. His passing and quick delivery to the back-line should have seen them score a try and a threat around the breakdown.FORWARDS1 Mako VunipolaHe made two brilliant turnovers at the breakdown whenn Sale threatened to break through the Saracens defence.dddddddddddd Wasnt called on to do much else against a poor Sharks team.2 Sean CroninPut in a man of the match performance, scoring one try and showed his speed once more when he made a 20 metre break in the first half when the game hung in the balance. A real threat in attack to provide an attacking platform for the Leinster backs.3 Zander FergusonAnother great performance from the youngster as he made five tackles and beat three defenders as he, like Cronin, likes to make darting breaks.4 Ultan DillaneSince he made his Irish debut earlier this year against England, Dillane has become a key player in Connacht and might be the man Joe Schmidt turns to come next year. He was immense against Wasps, with 15 tackles and 42 metres made.5 Jonny GrayAnother outstanding performance from Gray as he looks certain to make the Lions team on this years form. On Friday, he won a key steal in the lineout and made 12 tackles as Glasgow bossed their French counterparts.6 Sean OBrienOBrien looks like a man on a mission since fighting his way back from injury. He was back to his best against Northampton in defence and in his ball carrying as he tagged on a try.7 Josh van der FlierThe difficult part it seems is getting a chance at Leinster with so much talent but once given the opportunity van der Flier has matched any opposition put in front of him. Outstanding against Saints. ?8 Thomas WaldromThe Exeter No. 8 added an all-important try as the Chiefs kept their slim hopes of a European quarter-final alive in Bordeaux and put in 11 tackles in a great defensive display.? ' ' '