Rory McIlroy’s Quest to End Major Drought Receives Boost from Former Coach Pete Cowen

Rory McIlroy’s Quest to End Major Drought Receives Boost from Former Coach Pete Cowen

 

Rory McIlroy’s decade-long major drought has sparked concerns about his ability to reclaim his spot among golf’s elite. However, his former coach, Pete Cowen, remains optimistic about McIlroy’s chances of breaking through and securing his third major title.

 

McIlroy’s recent performances have been marred by disappointing finishes, including a heartbreaking collapse at the US Open and a lackluster showing at The Open. Despite these setbacks, Cowen believes that McIlroy has the talent and determination to overcome his struggles and rise to the top once again.

 

In an interview with Bunkered, Cowen expressed his confidence in McIlroy’s ability to win a major, saying, “If I had to put money on it, I’d say yes, but golf’s a funny game.” He acknowledged that the pressure of competing on the biggest stage can be overwhelming, even for experienced players like McIlroy.

 

Cowen attributed McIlroy’s struggles to a technical fault that has plagued him for years, particularly under pressure. “He drops the club under a bit and starts flipping it a bit and doesn’t get under any pressure on it, so struggles with the ball flight,” Cowen explained. However, he also noted that McIlroy is aware of this issue and has made efforts to address it, leading to periods of exceptional play and tournament wins.

 

The former coach emphasized that McIlroy’s ability to win big tournaments, albeit on a smaller stage, demonstrates his capacity for success. “He wins big tournaments in any case. It’s a smaller stage,” Cowen said. “As the stage gets higher, the more difficult and the more stage fright you get.”

 

Cowen’s vote of confidence comes as a welcome boost to McIlroy, who will have to wait until 2025 for another opportunity to win a major. With his former coach’s guidance and support, McIlroy can focus on refining his technique and building his mental toughness to overcome the pressure of competing at the highest level.

 

As McIlroy continues his journey to end his major drought, he can draw inspiration from Cowen’s words and the knowledge that he has the potential to succeed. With dedication and perseverance, McIlroy can silence his doubters and reclaim his spot among golf’s elite.