Rory McIlroy finished in the top eight or higher at seven of the eight majors over the past two seasons. The lone exception was the 2023 Masters, where he failed to make the cut.
He has not yet broken his major drought, which dates back to 2014. However, he’s been more in the mix than any other golfer in the world. McIlroy has a 41-under average over the eight majors. This is five shots more than Scottie Schiffer, the second best player to have teed up in all 8 majors.
The putter is blamed by many in the media and on social media for McIlroy’s failure to finish at the biggest tournaments.
Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s putting coach, is sick of hearing about it.
Faxon, during a Golf Channel appearance, said: “He didn’t have a good putting couple days but he had an excellent final round and great putting weeks.” According to some media, when Rory McIlroy is tied for sixth or fifth place in a big event, the world will end.
It’s beyond reproach when other instructors criticize Rory, Rory, or me when they have no idea how players think and what motivates or drives them.
McIlroy, who hasn’t competed since the Open in April, will return next week to the FedEx St. Jude Championship, at TPC Southwind, Memphis, for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He missed the cut last year. The Northern Irishman hopes to win his fourth FedEx Cup later this month at East Lake.
