It’s been a decade since Rory McIlroy last clinched a major championship title. Despite being one of the most talented golfers globally and currently ranked No. 3, McIlroy has come up short in major tournaments. His former Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley, believes he knows why.
After finishing tied for 12th at this year’s PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy continues to search for that elusive fifth major title. McIlroy, now 35, has had several close calls — four top-five finishes in the past three years — but those performances don’t meet the high expectations set for a player of his caliber.
Paul McGinley, who captained McIlroy during the Ryder Cup, shared his thoughts on McIlroy’s struggles. Speaking on Golf Channel’s ‘Live From’ prior to Sunday’s final round at Valhalla, McGinley pointed out two key reasons for McIlroy’s inability to secure another major win.
“There are two issues as to why he is not the player he was back then when it comes to major championships,” McGinley said. “The fields are stronger now. Back then he was a young guy forging his way and his elbows were at their pointiest. It was really a case of ‘I am on a march to be the top player in the game, so get out of my way’. He had this clear vision.” McGinley highlighted that the competition has become fiercer, featuring top players from both the LIV and PGA Tour.
But McGinley didn’t stop there. He also mentioned a psychological barrier that McIlroy has yet to overcome. “There’s no doubt a psychological build-up from not getting over the line in major championships since [2014] that he hasn’t circumnavigated yet,” McGinley added. “I say ‘yet’ because, if he gets [the fifth], I feel — maybe not the floodgates will open — but there is certainly another three or four majors in Rory McIlroy. It is all about getting the first one.”
Despite his drought in major wins, McIlroy’s performance on the PGA Tour remains top-notch. His win-rate is an impressive 10 percent, which is higher than any other player, including the World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy’s next opportunity to break his major drought will be at Pinehurst No. 2 during the 2024 U.S. Open. The last time this venue hosted the event in 2014, McIlroy finished tied for 23rd.
As McIlroy gears up for another shot at a major title, the golfing world will be watching closely to see if he can overcome both the strengthened competition and the psychological hurdles that have held him back. Paul McGinley’s insights shed light on the challenges, but only time will tell if McIlroy can finally break his decade-long major drought.
Source: Golf
