Rory McIlroy urged to change his attitude ahead of The Open with Nick Faldo point made
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes a mental block is holding Rory McIlroy back at the majors, but glory could await the 35-year-old at Royal Troon if he finds the right state of mind
Paul McGinley believes the floodgates could soon open for Rory McIlroy at the major championships, but the world No. 2 has been urged to find a new mindset to clear his "mental block" and end 10 years of hurt.
McIlroy has gone a decade without a major win but he has been getting increasingly close to finally adding a fifth to his collection, suffering heartbreaking near misses at The Open in 2022 and the 2023 US Open. But last month's US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 trumped them both, blowing a two-shot lead in the final five holes as Bryson DeChambeau claimed victory by a single shot.
Sky Sports pundit McGinley, who captained McIlroy at the 2014 Ryder Cup, believes McIlroy is playing the best golf of his career heading to this week's Open Championship at Royal Troon and shift to a more relaxed mindset in tournaments could be the difference that helps him overcome his agonizing wait at the majors.
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"If he wins one, I think he will win two or three," McGinley said. "There is a build-up of scar tissue there over 10 years and there is definitely a bit of a mental block, but he is getting closer to unblocking that.
"He has had three instances in the past two and a half years where he has got closer than in 10 years, [losing out to] Cameron Smith, Wyndham Clark and Bryson DeChambeau.
"He is on the right path and it’s just a question of keep knocking on that door. Lady luck will give him a chance – the break that Bob MacIntyre got on Sunday, that can often be the difference. If he keeps knocking on the door the way he is, I’m really, really confident that he’ll win one soon. And if he wins one soon, I can see him winning another two or three because then the block is gone.
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"It’s the major championships that is the stick to beat him with and he knows that and that is why it’s so hard to get over the line because it means so much to him. He’s got to find a way of not caring. I know that’s easy to say, but the build-up of 10 years is a heavy weight on his shoulders. But the door will open, the quality of his golf is better than it’s ever been."
McGinley says McIlroy is the most talented golfer Europe has ever produced, but for his potential to be truly fulfilled he needs to surpass the six major titles won by Sir Nick Faldo.
"I think he’s got to reach Nick Faldo’s [total] and be the outstanding European player with major wins as well as in terms of PGA Tour wins," McGinley added. "He’s the most talented player Europe has ever produced. Seve [Ballesteros] had more flair, but in terms of all-around package, Rory is the best.
"The fact he hasn’t won a major in 10 years is the stick to beat him with, but you look at everything else, he’s won tournaments everywhere in the world, from Australia to Ireland and Scotland, the FedEx, Canada, wherever you want to go, he’s got those titles on his resume and his record his phenomenal. Tiger’s numbers are phenomenal, but he’s right up there tucked up right behind him."
Watch The 152nd Open at Royal Troon from July 18-21, exclusively live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Golf, and via a NOW subscription.
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