Rory McIlroy now reminds me of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, says tour pro

English tour pro Eddie Pepperell says watching Rory McIlroy now reminds him of the struggles of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia in major championships. 

McIlroy, 34, ensured his wait to add to his tally of four majors continued into a tenth year after his latest disappointment at the 2023 Open. 

The Northern Irishman last claimed a major championship nine years ago at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla.

McIlroy had to rush to beat the darkness to lift the Wanamaker and his victory appeared to be the beginning of a dominant era.

Related:

• PGA Tour boss risks wrath of Rory McIlroy

Afterall, he was 25 years old and was already being compared to Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus such was his meteoric rise and career arc.

A return to Royal Liverpool this summer presented the perfect opportunity for McIlroy pick off another major he so desperately craves. 

Hoylake was the scene of McIlroy's one and only triumph at golf's oldest major. 

But once again it was a story we are so familiar with. McIlroy left himself with too much to do and struggled to hole crucial putts when needed.

Will Rory McIlroy win a major in 2024?

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) July 24, 2023

"I might be ready to join you guys on the frustration train," said Pepperell on The Chipping Forecast, discussing McIlroy. 

Pepperell, who also ranted about the coverage of Brian Harman's win, said watching McIlroy reminded him of the struggles of former World No.1 Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia. 

Garcia scissor-kicked his way to superstardom in 1999 but was made to wait until 2017 to claim his first major at the Masters. 

Westwood, for all of his consistency and victories across the globe, has never been able to pick off a major either. 

Phil Mickelson claimed the PGA Championship when he was 50 years old so there could be hope for Westwood yet. 

Pepperell said:

Pepperell continued: 

It's not just Pepperell who appears to be somewhat sceptical about McIlroy's future. 

Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee called out McIlroy after his 20th top-10 finish in a major, claiming the Ulsterman is now past his physical prime. 

Chamblee said: "I realise he's ripping it and he looks like a Greek god, but I'm talking about, at 34 he doesn't have as much runway in front of him as he did when he won his last major."

Watch:

Brandel Chamblee is a walking take quake . This one has it all. 1. Rory not in his physical prime 2. Cross-sport comp 3. “Optical acuity.”



Hate him or love him, you watch. shoutout Pete Weber pic.twitter.com/k5vINvTjdh

— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) July 23, 2023

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