Rory McIlroy makes huge PGA Tour decision after 10 years without a major
Rory McIlroy’s Bold Plan to End 10-Year Major Drought: Scaling Back PGA Tour Schedule and Revamping Swing Technique for 2025
For over a decade, Rory McIlroy has been a near-constant presence on the PGA Tour, a force in major championships, and an iconic figure in golf. Yet, despite his illustrious career, the Northern Irishman’s quest for a fifth major title has remained elusive since his 2014 PGA Championship victory. Now, after a season of tantalizingly close finishes and grueling schedules, McIlroy has announced a major pivot in his approach for 2025—a decision that could redefine his career at this critical juncture.
As 2024 draws to a close, McIlroy faces another year without a major title, with the pain of near-misses lingering. His performance at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 was particularly heartbreaking. Leading by two shots with only four holes remaining, McIlroy seemed poised to break his 10-year major drought. However, three bogeys down the final stretch shattered his hopes, handing the victory to none other than his LIV Golf rival, Bryson DeChambeau. The sting of this defeat was compounded by the fact that McIlroy came closer than he had in years to clinching that elusive fifth major. This heartbreak served as a catalyst, prompting McIlroy to take a hard look at his strategy and lifestyle on the PGA Tour.
Reflecting on a packed year, McIlroy has decided to reduce his tournament schedule in 2025. This year, the 35-year-old has already played in 26 tournaments, including the current Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the DP World Tour. McIlroy’s strategy is clear: by scaling back, he hopes to restore his focus and energy to peak for major championships, where he aims to make his long-awaited breakthrough.
McIlroy’s plan entails skipping several tournaments he added this year in a bid to boost his PGA standing. Reflecting on his 2024 schedule, he admitted to The Telegraph that certain events may no longer fit into his new game plan. “There’s a few tournaments that I played this year that I don’t usually play and that I might not play next year,” he disclosed. Among these were the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens (formerly the Honda Classic), the Texas Open in San Antonio, and the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head. Furthermore, McIlroy has hinted he might even forego the first FedEx playoff event in Memphis after a disappointing finish this season. “I mean, I finished basically dead last there this year—tied for 68th out of 70—and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings,” he noted, suggesting that his priorities now lie beyond simply amassing appearances and points.
In his candid remarks, McIlroy shared that his perspective has evolved over the years. “Well, at this point in my career… Hey, I’m 35 and have been out here for 17, or 18 years. So I’m just going to go to the places that I enjoy and where I play well,” he explained. For McIlroy, the grind of 25 to 30 events each year is no longer sustainable. Instead, his focus will be on quality over quantity—a calculated gamble intended to preserve his energy, avoid burnout, and keep his competitive edge for when it matters most.
This shift in his approach is not only strategic in terms of tournament selection but also technical, as McIlroy has dedicated considerable time to overhauling his golf swing. Known for his powerful drives and aggressive style, McIlroy admitted that he has struggled with the shape of his swing for some time, particularly his backswing. “I probably haven’t liked the shape of my golf swing for a while, especially the backswing,” McIlroy revealed while in the Middle East. Recognizing the need for a fundamental change, he spent three intensive weeks in an indoor golf simulator, honing his technique without the distraction of watching ball flight, allowing him to focus solely on his form. “The only way I was going to make a change or at least move in the right direction with my swing was to lock myself in a studio and not see the ball flight for a bit and just focus entirely on the movement.”
The results of this rigorous training regimen were already on display in his opening round at Abu Dhabi, where McIlroy posted an impressive five-under-par 67, recording six birdies against a single bogey. This performance suggests that the changes he’s made to his swing are starting to pay off, giving McIlroy renewed confidence as he gears up for his next major challenge. Looking ahead, McIlroy has his sights set on securing his sixth Race to Dubai title, with the DP World Tour season culminating in the DP World Tour Championship next week. Winning this title would mark his third consecutive victory in the season-long competition and provide a fitting capstone to a challenging yet transformative year.
In the grand scheme of his career, McIlroy’s decision to reduce his schedule and revamp his swing could represent a pivotal turning point. At 35, McIlroy acknowledges he is no longer the young phenom who burst onto the scene. He has endured the highs of major triumphs and the lows of prolonged droughts, all while navigating the evolving landscape of professional golf. By recalibrating his approach, McIlroy aims not only to reclaim the winning touch that defined his early years but to do so in a way that respects his longevity in the sport.
As the 2025 season approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if McIlroy’s commitment to change will finally yield the results he has been striving for. With a reduced schedule, a refined swing, and a renewed sense of purpose, McIlroy stands on the precipice of what could be the most meaningful chapter of his career. If his adjustments prove successful, his journey could become a blueprint for how seasoned athletes adapt to remain at the top of their game. For McIlroy, the stakes have never been higher, and the world will be watching as he embarks on this daring bid to end his decade-long major championship drought and add another historic victory to his storied career.
