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Rory McIlroy is confident that a post-round range session “straightened out” his wayward heading into the PGA Championship, just as it did during his title defense at the Masters.
McIlroy saw his hopes of a record-extending fifth Truest Championship title evaporate with a third-round 75 on Saturday, his highest score on the PGA Tour since last June, as the Northern Irishman continued to hit shots to the left.
The world No. 2 hit the ‘100 ball’ on the range on Saturday evening to try to regain control of his swing, four weeks after having a post-round session on Augusta National’s practice area to deal with a ‘left miss’.
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Highlights from the final round of The Masters, where Rory McIlroy successfully defended his title
McIlroy’s practice at The Masters helped him recover from losing a six-shot halfway lead to win the green jacket, while his work at Quali Hollow saw him bounce back in the final round before his second major 67 of the year.
“I started hitting left with everything yesterday (Saturday),” McIlroy admitted after his final round. “Last night I spent some time at the range just trying to straighten it out.
Rory McIlroy is looking to claim back-to-back major wins at the PGA Championship
“On the range this week, the wind has gone predominantly left. I think when you hit a lot of balls in the left-to-right wind you start to aim a little left, your club face can close a little bit at impact to try to counter that wind.
“Having hit the ball the last five or six days in that left-to-right wind on the range, I started missing some lefts on the course. I was trying to figure it out a little bit on the range last night, which I thought I did and I hit the ball better.”
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The Sky Sports Golf Podcast discusses whether Rory McIlroy is the greatest European golfer of all time, following his latest win at The Masters
On how his swing problems compared to The Masters, McIlroy added: “Exactly the same thing, so it needs to be straightened out. It’s my bad habit at the moment and I have to be aware of it.
“Figured a few things out. I think I fell into a few bad habits with the wind blowing left to right all week, so straightened that out.
“I’m going to go home tonight, which will be good, have a night in my own bed and practice at home tomorrow (Monday). Just try to carry that feeling and bring it to Philadelphia the rest of the week.”
Can Rory McIlroy add another major win at Aronimink Golf Club?
McIlroy had a blister on the little toe of his right foot – under the nail – that kept him in discomfort at the Quail Hollow Club over the weekend, although he confirmed he will be fully fit for this week’s major.
Will more success come for McIlroy?
Twelve years after winning the PGA Championship for the second time, McIlroy will be among the pre-tournament favorites to claim his second major title of the season and seventh of his career.
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Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley looks back on Rory McIlroy’s win at the 2014 PGA Championship, his fourth major win
The 37-year-old played several practice rounds at Augusta National this week leading up to last month’s big win, skipping three PGA Tour events after the Players, a move that has many on social media debating whether it gave him an unfair advantage.
The idea was quickly dismissed by players and pundits, as all The Masters fields could play practice rounds in the build-up, McIlroy made an early preparation trip to Aronimink before the PGA Championship.
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Highlights of Rory McIlroy’s final round from The Masters, as one-under-par 71 earns Northern Irishman second green jacket
When asked if he had only made one visit to the PGA Championship venue, McIlroy joked: “No, I was there for a week. I played it every day. I think it’s allowed.”
McIlroy confirmed he made only one pre-major day trip to the venue and did not keep score, with the six-time major champion now only expected to play nine holes on Tuesday and nine holes on Wednesday before the tournament.
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Watch Rory McIlroy’s bid for back-to-back majors when the PGA Championship begins on Thursday, live only on Sky Sports
“I’m excited about it,” McIlroy said Sky Sports. “I think it (Aronimink) suits my game pretty well. It seems like there’s going to be a lot of driver, a lot of wedges, especially on the front nine.
“The back nine starts to get a little tough, but it seems like a course where if you can build your score on the front nine, I see a lot of guys going three or four under. But the big, sloped greens — they can push the pins away — so you’ve got to have — your wits about you.
“Excited to get up there and have another go at a big championship.”
Who will win the PGA Championship? Watch live all week on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening round begins on Thursday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or Flow without any contract.
