Former world number one Ernie Els has advised McIlroy to adopt a Tiger Woods-esque technique as the Northern Irishman’s 11-year drought continues.
Rory McIlroy’s golf woes continue as the Northern Irishman’s drought stretches to 11 years. The former world number one had another disappointing season, failing to win a single title in 2024.
McIlroy’s disappointment was especially evident at the U.S. Open earlier this year, when a final-day mistake on the No. 2 car at Pinehurst cost him a promising position and ultimately cost him the title to Bryson DeChambeau.
Despite recent improvements in form, including a runner-up finish to Billy Horschel at the PGA Championship in Surrey, concerns remain about McIlroy’s ability to return to his best form.
Former world number one Ernie Els has offered McIlroy advice on how to improve his game. Speaking to MyGolfSpy, Els suggested that McIlroy should focus on improving his short putting technique.
“He needs to hit softer shots with shorter clubs,” Els said. “Get absolute control.”
The story of South Africa is similar to the Tiger Woods approach, and noted that the cause of the tiger there was the best relationship with a small soft cut.
“If the energy is very large, it is necessary to control the ball with a small amount of disconnection.
ALS believes that the adoption of this method will help Makillia to recover its shape and overcome recent mistakes. McIlroy has been candid about his struggles this year. After his recent performance at the PGA Championship, he said: These things happen.”
However, he also made a concerning admission that “the game is testing me.”
Despite the challenges, McIlroy maintains an optimistic outlook.
He stated, “All I can do is keep showing up and trying to play the golf that I\’ve been playing and sooner or later it\’s going to end up in a win.”
The golfer views his career as a long-term journey, saying, “If you think of my career as a 30-year journey, it’s only one year in a 30-year journey, and hopefully the other 29 are a little more productive or a little bit better.”
As McIlroy enters his mid-thirties, the challenge of regaining his top form becomes increasingly daunting. Els agrees, saying: “It doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure.”
The South African highlights the mental hurdles McIlroy faces, especially after his disappointment at the U.S. Open.
“Pinehurst, this is going to hurt for a long time,” Els said. Despite these challenges, McIlroy’s recent performances suggest he still has the potential to compete at the highest level.
But the golf world will be watching with bated breath to see if he can overcome the mental and technical hurdles that have hindered his progress in recent years.