Multiple major champion on Rory McIlroy: "I'm sure I've said that to him"

Multiple major champion Ernie Els says Rory McIlroy needs to learn how to hit softer cut shots with his irons just like Tiger Woods did in his pomp if he is to break his major drought. 

McIlroy has been golf's nearly man in 2024. 

The Northern Irishman nearly won the U.S. Open in June, almost won his national open at Royal County Down and was pipped again by an inspired Billy Horschel at last week's BMW PGA Championship. 

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For his part, McIlroy has said that he is 'getting used' to the pain of near-misses, although he did concede after losing in a playoff at Wentworth that the game was testing him. 

And he was adamant that his career is far from over, suggesting he is only 'one year' into a career journey that will hopefully last 30 years.

Meanwhile the aforementioned Els has given his opinion on what McIlroy needs to be concentrating on before he goes again in 2025. 

Refusing to mince his words, Els told MyGolfSpy's Alan Shipnuck: "It's not going to get easier, that's for sure."

Els, like many observers, has suggested that McIlroy did make mistakes with his clubbing in the final round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2.

McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond also came under heavy criticism over what transpired at the third men's major of the year. 

One of those critics was Woods' former coach Hankey Haney but McIlroy took a dim view of his comments. 

He said he if he wouldn't take someone's advice then he wouldn't be prepared to listen to their criticism. 

"Pinehurst, that is going to sting for a long time," Els said. 

"Mentally, we're going to have to see [where he goes from heere].  

"When that little bit of doubt creeps in, it's hard to get it out. 

"I've been there many times. You beat yourself up

"He hit the wrong club at 15. Driver was the wrong play on 18. He could have hit a 2-iron off the tee. 

"And then to hit his pitch too hard and be above the hole, that was a terrible leave."

The Big Easy said that he invited McIlroy over to dinner to discuss his problems. 

"I wanted to help him get his head in the right place," Els added. 

"He has to hit softer cut shots with his irons. 

"I'm sure I've said that to him. Get absolute control. There's a reason Tiger played his best with a soft little cut. 

"When you have that much power, you need to get control of the ball with a little cut spin."

Els won four majors in his career, the last of which came at the 2012 Open Championship. 

He won his first claret jug in 2002 and also won the U.S. Open twice. 

Unfortunately for the South African, who is now 54 years old, he never won The Masters. 

He finished runner-up in 2000 and again four years later. 

Els, unsurprisingly, regards not winning a green jacket as one of his biggest regrets. 

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