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 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.
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.
As a result, the four-time major champion has not been able to work on his swing as much as he would have liked.
Rory McIlroy with Harry Diamond
“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 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.”
RORY MCILROY PREVIOUS IRISH OPEN RESULTS
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.