Rory McIlroy raised question marks over the re-designed Blue Monster — and his own resolve when facing taxing courses — when he suggested he might skip Trump National Doral if it were not a World Golf Championship venue.
Dave Stockton would like to work more with McIlroy in the off season. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePreparation is everything at elite level but if you’re wondering why Rory McIlroy is not firing on all cylinders heading into his defence of the US PGA at Oak Hill, just ask his putting coach Dave Stockton.
Dave Stockton has no worries about Rory McIlroy and the Nike putter (above) but fears it may take him longer to get used to his new Nike driver. Picture Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieDave Stockton has no concerns about Rory McIlroy’s struggles with his new Nike putter but admits the world No 1 may take longer to find his touch with his new driver.
Tiger Woods tried a new tactic at the US PGA. Trying to enjoy himself turned out to be not so much fun. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieTiger Woods tried to find his happy place at the US PGA and walked away with a frown. But when Rory McIlroy remembered to play golf like a kid and smile, he walked away with another record eight-shot win and a second major title.
Rory McIlroy putts during the Irish Open. Picture by Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy opened with an impressive, six under par 65 in the Omega European Masters at Crans.
But while he hit 15 greens in regulation, the really impressive aspect of his first round since his US PGA disappointment was how confortable he now looks on the greens.
Rory McIlroy’s new putting grip. Credit: www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy has done more than change his putting routine since he started seeing short game expert Dave Stockton - he’s also got a new grip.
The 22-year old Ulsterman has putted with a distinctive grip since his amateur days with the middle, ring and little fingers of the right hand wrapped around the left and facing the target.
Rory McIlroy lines up a putt during last week’s Volvo World Match Play. Photo Eoin Clarke/ www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy admits he thought about going to short game guru Dave Stockton in the middle last year having seen “a couple of magazine articles” he really liked.
Why he waited until after his Masters disappointment is anyone’s guess but that’s history now and it will be interesting to see how the youngster’s putting progresses as he heads into the meat of the season.
Within minutes of completing his media interview at Quail Hollow, Rory McIlroy was out on the practice putting green with Dave Stockton, the short game expert.
The 69-year old, two-time US PGA champion later confirmed that the pair began working together on Monday. Not that you would have known that after listening to McIlroy’s 15-minute chat with the press ahead of his defence of the Wells Fargo Championship.
There wasn’t much of a hint in the press conference that he’s actively making changes to his short game technique, possibly his putting.
Could this become a rare sighting? Rory McIlroy misses a putt at the 14th on day three of 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. (Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)Rory McIlroy insists he’s not going to let his Masters meltdown get him down.
In fact, according to Karl MacGinty in the Irish Independent, he’s taken steps to make sure that the putting problems that cost him his first major title do not come back to haunt him again.
As suggested by RTE’s Greg Allen in the aftermath of the Masters (a suggestion hailed as being “spot on” by McIlroy’s manager Chubby Chander) the Ulsterman will seek help from short game coach Dave Stockton over the coming months.
It’s a watershed moment for the youngster who will celebrate his 22nd birthday in Charlotte tomorrow and a welcome case of “Happy Birthday to me.”
