McIlroy Reveals He’s Prepared To Wait Eight Months Till 2017 Masters To Get His Putting Sorted.

Bethpage Park, NY …. Rory McIlroy revealed he’s prepared to wait eight months and to next year’s Masters to sort out the biggest problem in his game and that’s the shortest club in his bag.

McIlroy turned around an indifferent opening Barclays Championship effort with a second day two under par 69 in continuing hot and humid conditions at Bethpage Park on New York’s Long Island.

The four-time Major winner had moved to within one shot of the overnight on the back of four birdies in 13 holes before back-to-bogeys at 15 and 16 sent him to the clubhouse in a then share of 18th place at two under par.

Rory McIlroy reveals his work now with Phil Kenyon is an eight-month plan so that he peaks at the 2017 Masters.

Rory McIlroy reveals his work now with Phil Kenyon is an eight-month plan so that he peaks at the 2017 Masters.

“It felt better than it did yesterday,” he said. “You have to hole a few to get under par on this golf course, and I held a couple. I actually held a couple of good ones for par on the back nine to keep the momentum going.

“But it’s all work-in-progress but it’s getting better.”

That work in progress has seen McIlroy begin working with Open and Olympic winning putting coach, Phil Kenyon.

It was Kenyon who helped steer Henrik Stenson to Open Championship glory last month at Royal Troon and who Justin Rose singled out as pivotal in being awarded the Olympic gold medal in Rio.

Kenyon learnt his trade under legendary Harold Swash, and the putting guru who put the long-handled putter in the hands of Scot Sam Torrance while Kenyon now owns Harold Swash Putting Ltd based at Formby Hall.

McIlroy round 1 (6)

McIlroy (green shirt) chatting with Phil Kenyon after his opening round of 71 and with McIlroy’s caddy, J P Fitzgerald looking on. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“I started working with Phil the week after the PGA Championship when I went over to his studio and it’s the way forward for me,” said McIlroy after taking 31 putts on Thursday and 30 today (Friday)

“You only have to see what he’s done for Henrik and ‘Rosie’ (Justin Rose) while he’s worked with a large number of players. But Phil and I agree this new putter I’ve put in the bag is still work in progress.

“So he and are viewing this thing as an eight-month process so that I can be totally comfortable with the putter come April and the Masters next year I will be happy.”

McIlroy’s mood on day two was just a little more upbeat in contrast to his clearly downbeat demeanour following Thursday’s no frills level par 71.

After Thursday’s round he and Kenyon were observed for some 15 minutes in discussion along with caddy J P Fitzgerald and all the time as McIlroy’s fiancée sat close by on a brick wall, and just a short distance from the main entrance to the Bethpage clubhouse.

In contrast, McIlroy greeted Kenyon after his second day effort with a handshake and the remark:  “That was more like it today”.

And McIlroy and his future wife also had time to pat a seemingly very friendly police canine who was his New York State Police handler.



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