Prior to this week's Valero Texas Open, Rory McIlroy's performance on the PGA Tour has been lackluster.
When Rory McIlroy is ready to try for a career grand slam tenth time, he has spoken with Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods’ longtime coach.
To become one of the select few players who have experienced success in each of the four major championships—along with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Woods—McIlroy must win the Masters.
The world number two got off to a strong start in 2019 when he won the Dubai Desert Classic in January, but coming into this week’s Valero Texas Open on the PGA Tour, his play has been lackluster.
In an interview with PGA Tour player Morgan Hoffmann for the “I Can Fly” podcast, McIlroy said, “I went last week to see Butch Harmon for a golf lesson.”
As I’ve seen him throughout the years, I’ll probably say to him, “Hey, Butch, can I just come see you so you can take a look and see what you think?” once every few years.
Harmon is headquartered in Las Vegas, so McIlroy mentioned that his daughter Poppy had asked him where he was heading as he was heading to the airport.
McIlroy stated that she told him he was taking a golf lesson and that he already knew how to play the game. In the past three years, that’s likely the best advise I’ve received.
While the four-time major winner has also worked with Pete Cowen, McIlroy has been coached by fellow Northern Irishman Michael Bannon for a considerable amount of time.
Speaking prior to last month’s Players Championship, where he opened with a 65-foot score but eventually faded to a tie for 19th, McIlroy disclosed the causes of his present difficulties.
“I’m having this incredible feeling right now with my woods, but when I try to replicate it with the irons, it starts and goes further left,” McIlroy remarked.
“Over the past several days, I’ve been working on developing a new swing concept for my irons, as I currently have one for my woods. All other aspects of the game seem to be in excellent condition.
