Rory McIlroy makes stark admission before Irish Open
Rory McIlroy says he's seen a deterioration in his game after he wasn't able to work on his swing as much as he would have like in 2024.
Rory McIlroy says he's seen a deterioration in his game after he wasn't able to work on his swing as much as he would have liked in 2024.
McIlroy, 35, is back on home soil for this week's Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
The Northern Irishman has played an exhausting schedule this year and is teeing it up in his 22nd event of 2024 this week.
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Off the course he's also been extremely busy with his involvement in trying to resolve the PGA Tour/LIV divide amid a clear power struggle.
And next January will see the launch of McIlroy and Tiger Woods' Tomorrow Golf League.
As a result, the four-time major champion has not been able to work on his swing as much as he would have liked.
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"It's been such a busy year," McIlroy told UTV.
"I haven't been able to work on my swing or my technique a little bit.
"And I feel like that's deteriorated as I've gone throughout the year."
McIlroy was alluding to the fact that after he finished runner-up to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open he hasn't been the same.
Rounds of 78-75 saw him miss the cut at the final men's major of the year at Royal Troon.
And his best result on the PGA Tour since that devasting collapse at Pinehurst No.2. came when he finished in a tie for ninth at the season-ending Tour Championship.
"I didn't do so well last time"
McIlroy is playing his second Irish Open at Royal County Down.
His one and only victory in his home open came in 2016 at The K Club.
He missed the cut here the last time it was played having shot rounds of 80 and 71.
And he is hoping for a better outcome this week, despite how difficult the course is.
He once remarked he struggled to see how players could break par at Royal County Down.
"Obviously, [I am] really looking forward to the week," he added.
"I didn't do so well last time. So I'm trying to improve on that."
Year | Result |
2005 | T54 |
2006 | MC |
2007 | MC |
2008 | MC |
2009 | MC |
2010 | T35 |
2011 | MC |
2012 | MC |
2013 | MC |
2014 | T7 |
2015 | MC |
2016 | 1 |
2017 | MC |
2018 | MC |
2019 | MC |
2020 | DNP |
2021 | MC |
2022 | DNP |
2023 | MC |
Key takeaways:
- Rory McIlroy won the Irish Open in 2016.
- He has nine missed cuts in the event.
- His performance has been inconsistent, with only one top-10 finish aside from his 2016 victory.
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