Rory McIlroy Makes Honest Admission About His Current Swing
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MARCH 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to a tee shot on the 11th hole during THE PLAYERS Championship on March 12, 2026 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 12 PGA, Golf Herren THE PLAYERS Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260312042457
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MARCH 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to a tee shot on the 11th hole during THE PLAYERS Championship on March 12, 2026 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 12 PGA, Golf Herren THE PLAYERS Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260312042457
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy blames a three-week wine-glass hold for his swing struggles. After a poor showing at Memphis, it looks like the Northern Irishman has finally got his swing under control.
After the Open Championship, McIlroy took an extended break to spend some time with his family. That had its effect on the six-time major winner’s game when he returned for his postseason.
“The things that are going on in my swing,” McIlroy said, “That’s what happens when you hold a wine glass for three straight weeks.”
The back-to-back Masters winner opened up about this to CBS’s Johnson Wagner, as shown on Golf on CBS's X post.
via Usta
260412 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the final round of the 2026 Masters Golf Tournament on April 12, 2026 in Augusta. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRAN / kod PA / PA1196 golf masters bbeng the masters augusta jubel *** 260412 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the final round of the 2026 Masters Golf Tournament on April 12, 2026 in Augusta Photo Petter Arvidson BILDBYRAN kod PA PA1196 golf masters bbeng the masters augusta jubel PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxFINxDEN Copyright: PETTERxARVIDSON BB260412PA275
At the FedEx St. Jude Championship, McIlroy admitted to struggling with his swing. Right after, the 37-year-old headed home to seek advice from his coach Michael Bannon.
The meeting turned out to be beneficial for the Irishman. The pair formulated a special range work, with a Flat Cat putting grip.
The vacation took its toll, but with the range sessions, the World No.2's swing has sharpened.
“It just helps my right arm work better. Just the structure of it,” McIlroy said Friday. “Then the club gets more supported at the top. And then if I'm there I feel like I can really hit whatever shot I want.”
Heading into the final round, McIlroy is tied for second at Bellerive. On Sunday, he will pair up with leader Wyndham Clark, who is five strokes ahead of him.
Only a heroic effort will lead McIlroy to glory.
Rory McIlroy knows exactly what’s needed
After an average outing on Friday, McIlroy surged higher in the rankings after a 65 on Moving Day. However, catching up to Wyndham Clark on Sunday will not be an easy task.
“I’m in a good spot going into tomorrow in terms of where I’m at on the leaderboard," said McIlroy, as per PGA Tour's Paul Hodowanic. "But it’s going to take a heroic effort from one of us to catch Wyndham.”
McIlroy and 8-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay are at 12-under. Clark has been exceptional and holds a comfortable five-stroke lead.
The reigning US Open champion might just be running away with his third title of the season. McIlroy will hope to step up and ruin the American’s party.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Rudra Dubey