Rory McIlroy gets ‘golf lesson’ off Tiger Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon
Rory McIlroy took ‘golf lessons’ from Tiger Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon
McIlroy is aiming for the elusive Masters title.
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Rory McIlroy consulted Tiger Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon in preparation for his 10th career Grand Slam.
McIlroy needs to win the Masters to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Woods as the only players to have won all four majors. The world number two got off to a strong start to the year with a victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, but his form on the PGA Tour has been lackluster ahead of this week’s Valero Texas Open.
“I went to Butch Harmon for a golf lesson last week,” McIlroy told PGA Tour pro Morgan Hoffman on the “I Can Fly” podcast. “I’ve been seeing him over the years, and every few years he says, ‘Hey Butch, can I come over to your house and see what you’re thinking? .”
McIlroy added that as he was getting ready to head to the airport (Harmon lives in Las Vegas), his daughter Poppy asked where he was going.
When she said she was going to golf lessons, McIlroy said, “She said, ‘Well, you already know how to play golf.'” This is probably the best thing I’ve received in the last three years. That’s the best advice ever. ”
McIlroy’s longtime coach is fellow Northern Irishman Michael Bannon, but the four-time major champion has also coached Pete Cowan. McIlroy revealed the reason for his current problems ahead of last month’s Players Championship, where he shot a 65 and tied for 19th place.
“The feel of the woods is great right now, but when you try to recreate that feel with the irons, he starts on the left and goes further left,” McIlroy said. “I have an idea for the woods and I need another idea for the irons and that’s what I’ve been working on the last few days. I feel like all the other parts of my game are in really good shape.”