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McIlroy’s Major Drought Rolls Past the Decade Mark

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Published
09/04/2024

Rory McIlroy was once heralded as a generational golfer, with his exceptional skills drawing comparisons to superstar Tiger Woods.

However, McIlroy has now gone over ten years without winning a major. He came close at the 2024 United States (US) Open, but finished runner-up for the second consecutive year.

The former world number one has been searching for his fifth major title and a first since he won the PGA Championship in 2014.

McIlroy has blown hot and cold throughout this period, leaving many people wondering if he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

He started this year with a bang, winning the Dubai Desert Classic. However, he struggled to maintain high-level performances at several other tournaments.

Despite McIlroy’s failure to get the job done in majors, he remains hugely popular with golf betting enthusiasts, particularly in Ireland.

He has a large fanbase on the Emerald Isle, and punters there repeatedly wager on him to end his major drought and re-establish himself as force in golf.

His next chance will be at The Masters in April 2025. Despite finishing T22 at the most recent edition, he is priced at 12/1 on betting apps in Ireland.

McIlroy is still a big name in golf, so many Irish bettors will back him to shake off his mental block and end the drought.

Given his potential for a comeback, those odds might represent significant value for those willing to take a chance on the Northern Irishman.

 

McIlroy’s Struggles

McIlroy recent performances suggest he is struggling with consistency and adapting to changing conditions.

His game was derailed by strong winds at Royal Troon this summer. He couldn't adjust to the tough conditions and missed the cut after two poor rounds.

McIlroy admitted he had given up halfway through the second round, which shows a lack of mental fortitude. He seems to lack the mental resilience to bounce back when things don't go his way.

This problem wasn't just seen at Royal Troon. It was also evident at The Masters, where McIlroy also conceded that the wind got the better of him.

For a player of his calibre and status in the game, his inability to adapt to different weather conditions is surprising and worrying.

McIlroy is renowned for his powerful and precise shots, but his recent performances suggest that he's having trouble playing well in tough conditions, which is a key trait for major champions.

The mental aspect of McIlroy’s struggles cannot be overlooked. Former agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler believes McIlroy’s ‘messy’ personal life has contributed to his major woes.

For any elite athlete, maintaining total focus is crucial to achieving success, and the suggestion that McIlroy’s life has become increasingly complicated could explain some of his on-course struggles.

Sports psychologist Gary Bloom has also offered his opinion, highlighting the psychological demands of golf as one of the reasons why McIlroy might be struggling.

Bloom highlights that golf’s unique mental challenges make it one of the most psychologically demanding sports. For McIlroy accumulating mental ‘scar tissue’ could be a significant obstacle.

Each failed attempt to win a major likely adds to this psychological burden, making it increasingly difficult to break through.

 

McIlroy Must Reset

Perhaps what McIlroy needs is time off for a mental reset. The idea that he might be choking under the weight of expectations and past failures is not unfounded.

Taking a step back and addressing these mental challenges head-on before returning to reclaim his spot might be the way forward, but he’s highly unlikely to go down that route.

McIlroy will be eyeing The Masters as another opportunity to showcase his immense talent that saw him rise to the number one spot in the world.

He could be a formidable contender, but he’ll need to find a way to mentally reset and approach the tournament with a clear and focused mindset, unburdened by the weight of past failures.

McIlroy’s form in the build-up to The Masters will also make a difference. If he can build a head of steam in the preceding tournaments, he could be a force to be reckoned with next year.

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