Rory McIlroy’s ex-coach highlights ultimate element to potential 5th major

Rory McIlroy, once hailed as the next great golfer, has faced a decade-long struggle to secure another major championship. Despite his early success, the Northern Irishman has been unable to add to his four major titles since 2014. His former swing coach, Pete Cowen, has recently shared his thoughts on McIlroy’s game, shedding light on the challenges the golfer faces.

McIlroy’s recent performances have been a mix of promise and disappointment. At the 2024 Open Championship, Rory McIlroy’s hopes were dashed early with a triple-bogey on the fourth hole of his second round, ultimately finishing 11-over. This marked another major season where he couldn’t secure a win, despite 21 top-ten finishes in major events since his last victory in 2014.

Pete Cowen, who briefly coached Rory McIlroy in 2021, has offered valuable insights into the golfer’s current struggles. Cowen believes that much of McIlroy’s issues lie in the mental aspect of his game.

“The longer the time span is between majors, the harder it gets,” Cowen said. “It’s like winning again, you’ve got to start again almost, reset. That’s the problem with him. They put so much pressure on him winning the Masters and the Grand Slam.”

Cowen highlighted the intense pressure McIlroy faces, especially regarding his pursuit of the career Grand Slam.

“That’s almost all he’s thinking about between now and next April, which is sad really because the other tournaments deserve the great players to keep playing,” Cowen remarked.

The constant focus on winning the Masters, the only major title McIlroy needs to complete the career Grand Slam, has added immense pressure to his game.

Pete Cowen’s Observations on Rory McIlroy’s Game

Rory McIlroy’s performance in recent major championships has been underwhelming. His bid for The Open ended prematurely with a disastrous triple-bogey, and he admitted that his mind wandered to vacation plans after that. This highlights a recurring issue with McIlroy – maintaining focus under pressure. His inability to win another major in the past decade has led to speculation about the underlying causes of his struggles.

Cowen, a seasoned coach, emphasized that Rory McIlroy’s problems are not technical but psychological:

“These guys are so good so most of it is down to the mental side of the game. Expectations come into it,” Cowen explained.

He also mentioned McIlroy’s tendency to let outside noise affect his game. “You’ve got no time between shots, and then when you get on the course, the blinkers start opening up. You’ve got five or ten minutes between each shot and that’s when the brain starts thinking of other things. It’s not easy to switch back on and hit the shot.”

Technically, Rory McIlroy has a familiar flaw that resurfaces under pressure.

“He drops the club under a bit and starts flipping it a bit and doesn’t get under any pressure on it, so struggles with the ball flight,” Cowen said.

This fault, though manageable, becomes problematic in high-stakes situations like major championships.

Despite the challenges, Pete Cowen remains optimistic about Rory McIlroy’s potential to win another major. He believes that with the right mental approach and a bit of luck, McIlroy can overcome his decade-long drought.

“If I had to put money on it, I’d say yes, but golf’s a funny game,” Cowen said. “You get a good break and all of a sudden you could win two or three in a row like Xander, but it gets harder.”

McIlroy’s journey forward will involve not just technical adjustments but also a mental reset. Cowen’s insights highlight the importance of managing expectations and maintaining focus. As McIlroy prepares for the 2025 Masters, where he will once again attempt to complete the career Grand Slam, the golf world watches with bated breath. 

The upcoming months will be crucial for McIlroy. He is set to represent Ireland in the Paris Olympics, offering a different kind of challenge and perhaps a welcome distraction from his major championship woes. Success on such a global stage could provide the confidence boost he needs to tackle Augusta National next April.

Rory McIlroy’s quest for a fifth major title is a testament to the pressures and challenges faced by elite athletes. While his journey has been fraught with near-misses and heartbreaks, the insights from his former coach offer a path forward. With a renewed focus and the right mental approach, McIlroy might just find his way back to the winner’s circle, ending the decade-long wait for his next major triumph.