The next few days at the Valero Texas Open will tell us if four hours in the company of fabled golf coach Butch Harmon has transformed Rory McIlroy’s prospects at the Masters. The first major of the season is the only one that does not feature on McIlroy’s CV. And with each year that passes, those missed opportunities appear to act as a drag on performance at Augusta.
The trip to Harmon’s golf academy in Las Vegas followed a disappointing display at the Players Championship three weeks ago, where he set the early pace with six birdies in his first eight holes before falling away to 19th. The problem is arguably as much mental as technical, with McIlroy’s mind a jumble of competing thoughts when he reaches for the shorter irons.
What is the issue?
He characterises the problem as a two-swing issue. With the driver he is relentless, ranking second on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee. However, he sits 119th in approach to the greens and, as a consequence, 94th in putting.
McIlroy, who is coached by his long-time teacher Michael Bannon, episodically seeks the counsel of others, including Harmon, trusting the eye of a guru who has schooled the likes of Tiger Woods at his peak, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
Whilst some experts believe the issue is one of weight transference in transition from the back swing to the down swing, which differs between the driver and the irons, another with whom McIlroy has worked, Pete Cowen, says speed is the problem. In other words, the high speeds McIlroy generates with the driver are too great for the shorter irons, leading to a loss of control.
The solution
Former pro and Sky Sports pundit, Wayne “Radar” Riley, is a friend of McIlroy’s and believes the fix is straightforward.
“Too much speed into the ball leads to too much spin,” Riley explains to i.
“The grooves of the club are like teeth. They chew that ball up and it spins all over the place. When that gets into your head that becomes difficult.
“I think sometimes Rory goes too high with the wedge and that is speed. With three-quarter shots, little 90 per cent shots, they flatten [ball flight] out a bit, taking the spin out of it. I saw him win at the Canadian Open at St George’s in 2022, and his wedge game that week was unbelievable, really great. If he can get back to that, and think about that, he will be just fine.
“Once he gets that wedge play dialled in he will be as good as anybody. I put all his problems down to that club. He is a great, great player with every other club. When he gets a wedge in his hands, he tends to be unsure. Going to Butch was a very clever move, especially before the Masters. He seems to work wonders with a lot of players.”
Will the technical fix be enough to close out the grand slam next week?
McIlroy’s decision to play the week prior to the Masters in San Antonio was informed in part by a desire to shift the focus away from Augusta. The McIlroy narrative is dominant everywhere he plays. At the Masters it is overwhelming given his attempt to join that elusive cohort to have won all four majors; Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods.
McIlroy blew a four-shot, 54-hole lead in 2011 but has not come close since, despite going out in the final group with champion Patrick Reed in 2018 and finishing second to Scottie Scheffler two years ago. This will be his tenth attempt to win the grand slam following his victory at The Open in 2014. A visit to Harmon coupled with the retreat from his role of PGA Tour cheerleader in the dispute with LIV Golf might just reconnect McIlroy with the best of himself. Riley agrees.
“Rory has been carrying the sport on his shoulders. That has quietened down a bit now so he can just concentrate on his golf,” he says. “I hope he doesn’t get to Augusta too early. I hope he flies in Monday, plays nine Tuesday and nine Wednesday, then goes.”
The Masters is available on Sky Sports Golf and NOW from 11th – 14th April. Follow all the latest news on Sky Sports social and digital channels throughout the week.