Butch Harmon Reveals Work With Rory McIlroy Before The Masters | Golf news

Rory McIlroy looking to complete his Grand Slam career at The Masters; McIlroy alongside Dustin Johnson for the first two rounds; Watch all four rounds Thursday through Sunday exclusively live on Sky Sports The Masters

Rory McIlroy is a four-time Major Champion

Butch Harmon has revealed that he spent time working with four-time main champion Rory McIlroy in preparation for The Masters.

McIlroy arrives at Augusta National for the last men’s major of the year without a major win since 2014 and having recorded just two top-10s since the PGA Tour’s resumption from the coronavirus stoppage in June.

The world No. 5 has been unable to see regular coach Michael Bannon in recent months due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, prompting McIlroy to take a trip to see Harmon in Las Vegas ahead of the Zozo Championship that month. last to prepare for your latest candidacy. the career Grand Slam.

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“We spent about four and a half hours together going over everything in his swing,” Harmon said. Sky sports. “I’ve known Rory since I was 15 or 16 and what I saw was a maturity that I had never seen in him before.

“I’ve watched him play for many years and I hadn’t seen his coach Michael Bannon for almost five months, that was the reason he came to see me, because he just wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

Rory McIlroy has worked with Michael Bannon throughout his career

“We changed his back swing a bit. We made it a little wider at the top as it was getting a little tight and narrow going down, then we had to move it forward a little bit to better free its body.

“Nothing that was too serious and nothing that I thought was difficult for him to do. He took it pretty well and played well, he just has to avoid big numbers that he seems to have struggled with in the last two games. Events. “

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McIlroy made 29 birdies on his way to a tied seventh at the Zozo Championship last month, the best of his career, with Harmon hoping to impress this week and build on his impressive record at Augusta National.

“I think he’s gotten a little under the radar this week,” Harmon added. “There isn’t much fuss about him, since it’s all about Bryson [DeChambeau] and tiger [Woods]. It’s interesting to see from the interviews this week that there are more questions about Bryson and Tiger than about the person they are talking to, which I think gets the players a bit irritated.

Rory McIlroy plays alongside Dustin Johnson and Patrick Cantlay for the first two rounds this week.

“I think Rory has a great opportunity and he’s one of my picks. I think he and Dustin Johnson should be co-favorites and I think the field suits him well. Rory is a great ball driver and hits the ball really high with the pilot, who is going to have to go through this week with all the rain we are going to have.

“I think he’s going to have a good Masters and I think Sunday down the stretch Rory McIlroy could be the guy you have to beat.

“As long as he keeps his head in the game and as long as he continues to do what he’s doing, then he’s Rory McIlroy for the love of God and he’s one of the best players ever to play the game. He’s going to win the Masters and I personally think that this will be a great opportunity for him this year. “

Watch The Masters this week live on Sky Sports, with all four rounds exclusively live on Sky Sports’ Masters channel. Live coverage begins with Featured Groups starting at 12:30 pm on Thursday.