Andy North, a two-time US Open champion, recently shared his observations on Rory McIlroy’s game during the Players Championship, revealing what he found most concerning about the Northern Irishman’s performance. Despite starting the year strongly with a victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy struggled to maintain his form on the PGA Tour, failing to secure a top-18 finish in any event prior to the Valero Texas Open.
One particular area of concern for McIlroy has been his performance in strokes gained on approach to the green, where he ranked 119th on the PGA Tour before the Valero Texas Open. This statistic raised eyebrows, especially considering McIlroy’s reputation as one of the best drivers in the game.
North, who will be part of ESPN’s coverage of the Masters, emphasized McIlroy’s proficiency off the tee but expressed shock at his inconsistent iron play throughout the year. Despite driving the ball well, McIlroy struggled with his short irons and wedges, often missing greens from advantageous positions in the fairway.
North highlighted the importance of solid iron play at Augusta, particularly citing Tiger Woods’ success, who consistently led in greens hit in regulation during his victories. He emphasized that hitting greens and positioning approach shots correctly are crucial factors in winning at Augusta, alongside putting.
While McIlroy’s iron play has been a concern, North acknowledged signs of improvement at the Valero Texas Open, where McIlroy secured his best result of the year with a third-place finish. McIlroy’s performance in strokes gained for the tournament and his approach shots demonstrated progress, suggesting a potential turnaround in form.
Despite these improvements, McIlroy will need to address his iron play consistently if he hopes to contend for his first green jacket at the Masters. North emphasized the significance of McIlroy’s approach shots and highlighted the importance of solid iron play in navigating Augusta’s challenging course layout.
As McIlroy prepares for the Masters, he will need to focus on refining his iron play and capitalizing on his strengths off the tee to give himself the best chance of success at one of golf’s most prestigious events.
McIlroy’s decision to play in the Valero Texas Open just days before the Masters raised eyebrows, as he typically takes the week off to prepare for Augusta. This unconventional move suggested that McIlroy was still searching for solutions to his iron play issues, despite his strong driving performance.
North’s assessment of McIlroy’s game underscores the challenges faced by even the most talented golfers in maintaining consistency and addressing weaknesses. While McIlroy’s driving ability is widely recognized as one of the best in the game, his struggles with his short irons and wedges serve as a reminder that no aspect of the game can be overlooked at the highest level of competition.
For McIlroy, the upcoming Masters presents an opportunity to showcase his resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. With his talent and experience, McIlroy has the potential to bounce back from his recent struggles and contend for the coveted green jacket.
As McIlroy fine-tunes his game and prepares to take on Augusta National, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance worthy of his immense talent. With the spotlight firmly on him, McIlroy has the chance to silence his critics and reaffirm his status as one of golf’s elite players.