McIlroy reveals equipment switch that changed his fortunes: "I was struggling!"

Rory McIlroy says changing golf balls before the 2022 Masters turned his "whole year around" after the struggles that culminated in a tearful greenside interview at the Ryder Cup when Europe's miserable fate was all-but confirmed.

McIlroy reigned supreme once again over the weekend when he finished top of the DP World Tour Rankings for the fourth time. 

The Northern Irishman revealed he spoke to his caddie Harry Diamond walking up the fairway on the 72nd hole at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates about what a long year it has been. 

Related: Rory McIlroy leaps to defence of Harry Diamond

Cast your mind back to the week before the 86th Masters at Augusta National and McIlroy was way off the standard he is accustomed to. 

Rounds of 72 and 73 meant he missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. That was off the back of a T-33 finish at the Players Championship. 

McIlroy told the media in Dubai:

McIlroy started using the TaylorMade TP5x before pegging it up at Augusta National, ditching the TP5. It's more stable in the wind, he said. 

Related: Rory McIlroy WITB

He continued:

McIlroy also said he plans to take one full week off his phone to spend time with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy.

Related: Rory's tears in Erica's arms after Open heartbreak

He will be back in action in the next iteration of The Match playing against Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods. 

Then McIlroy will start 2023 in Dubai. McIlroy has also confirmed that he plans to play the Irish Open next year at The K Club. 

McIlroy missed his home open at Mount Juliet this year. It was won by Poland's Adrian Meronk. 

Rory McIlroy PGA Tour Results 2021-2022

CJ Cup - WIN 

Hero World Challenge: 18

Genesis Invitational: T-10

Arnold Palmer Invitational: T-13

The Players Championship: T-33

Valero Texas Open: MC

Masters: 2

Wells Fargo Championship: 5

PGA Championship: 8

The Memorial: T-18

RBC Canadian Open - WIN

U.S. Open: T-5

Travelers Championship: T-19

The Open: 3

FedEx St. Jude Championship: MC

BMW Championship: T-8

Tour Championship: WIN 

 

 

 

 

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Rory McIlroy DP World Tour Results 2021-2022

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship T-12

Dubai Desert Classic: 3

JP McManus Pro-Am: T-6

BMW PGA Championship: T-2

Italian Open: 4

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: T-4

DP World Tour Championship: 4

McIlroy also defended his CJ Cup crown in October on the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season at Congaree Golf Club. 

Next page: There is "no debate" Rory McIlroy is World No.1