Rory McIlroy, the world’s third-ranked golfer, recently returned to competitive action after a month-long break from the game. But during this time away, McIlroy wasn’t relaxing on the beach; he was hard at work in a studio, focusing intensely on overhauling his golf swing.
McIlroy’s self-imposed sabbatical came after a disappointing performance at the Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, where he shot a 5-under 67 in the first round, leaving him 4 shots off the lead. Speaking to the Associated Press, the Northern Irishman explained that he had spent most of his time “shut away in a studio hitting balls against a screen” as he searched for a more robust, pressure-proof swing.
“It felt OK,” McIlroy said of his opening round in Abu Dhabi. “I’ve gotten comfortable doing this little rehearsal before I take the club back. It felt fine. I probably wasn’t as imaginative out there. I was hitting very straight shots. I hit a couple where I didn’t see the picture of what I was trying to do with the ball flight because I was thinking a little too much about what I was doing with the swing.”
The lack of wind and generous fairways at Yas Links provided McIlroy with an ideal environment to focus on his modified swing mechanics without having to worry too much about course conditions. “I am quite fortunate that it’s a nice week to come back,” he added.
McIlroy’s efforts to refine his swing appear to be part of a broader strategy to ensure his game can withstand the demands of high-pressure moments. With a commanding lead in the Race to Dubai standings, the 35-year-old is eyeing a sixth career Order of Merit title, which would tie the late Seve Ballesteros’ record.
“Going for my third in a row, trying to go for six overall, it’s a pretty meaningful thing to do,” said McIlroy. “Trying to get to Colin Montgomerie’s number eight, or maybe surpass it, is definitely a goal in the future.” But I think right now I just have to focus on trying to get that sixth one and go from there.”
However, McIlroy’s plans for the future extend beyond just this season. In a separate interview, the four-time major champion revealed that he intends to reduce his PGA Tour schedule in 2025, potentially even skipping the first FedEx Cup playoff event.
“There’s a few tournaments that I played this year that I don’t usually play and that I might not play next year,” McIlroy said. “Like, I played the Cognizant Classic, San Antonio (Texas Open), and Hilton Head (RBC Heritage). And I’ll probably not play the first playoff event in Memphis (the FedEx St. Jude). I mean, I finished basically dead last there this year (tied for 68th out of 70) and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings.”
By scaling back his schedule to 18–19 events, compared to the 26 he played across the PGA Tour and DP World Tour last year, McIlroy hopes to maintain a sharper focus and maximize his performance in the events he does play.
“Well, at this point in my career… Hey, I’m 35 and have been out here for 17, 18 years, so I’m just going to go to the places that I enjoy and where I play well. Look, I’ve put in the hard work, participating in 25 to 30 events annually. And I’m not getting any younger,” he explained.
McIlroy’s decision to reduce his playing schedule has sparked some debate, particularly around the fairness of demands placed on LIV Golf players to compete on both tours. As former Tiger Woods coach Hank Haney pointed out, it seems “ridiculous” to expect LIV players to maintain such a packed calendar when top PGA Tour stars are cutting back.
Nonetheless, McIlroy’s commitment to fine-tuning his game and optimizing his schedule underscores his relentless pursuit of greatness. With a sixth Race to Dubai title and a chance to surpass Colin Montgomerie’s record on the horizon, the next chapter of McIlroy’s storied career promises to be as captivating as ever.