Rory McIlroy says a focused post-round practice session has sorted the left‑miss that troubled him at the Truist Championship and gives him momentum heading into the PGA Championship.
After a third‑round 75 at Quail Hollow — his highest PGA Tour score since last June — McIlroy spent time on the range Saturday evening hitting around 100 balls to regain a cleaner strike. The world No. 2 traced the problem to a practice routine in a prevailing left‑to‑right wind, which had subtly changed his aim and left his clubface slightly closed at impact.
“It was the same issue I had at Augusta,” he said, explaining that the wind on the range had encouraged a compensatory setup that carried over to competitive play. His practice work at The Masters, where he corrected a similar tendency, helped him recover from a mid‑tournament wobble to retain the Green Jacket; he believes the recent session produced the same quick fix.
McIlroy added that after addressing the feel on the range he hit the ball much better in the final round. He plans to go home for one night and continue working on that sensation ahead of traveling to Philadelphia for the PGA.
Despite battling a blister beneath the nail of his right little toe during the weekend, McIlroy confirmed he will be fully fit for the major. He has already spent time at Aronimink Golf Club and said the course suits his game — especially the drivers‑and‑wedges nature of the opening holes — while warning that large, sloped greens can make scoring tricky if the pins are tucked.
The 37‑year‑old six‑time major champion is among the favourites to try to add a second major of the season and a seventh major overall. He has limited his pre‑tournament rehearsal at Aronimink to a single visit where he played without keeping score, and expects to play nine holes on both Tuesday and Wednesday before the event.
McIlroy expressed confidence and anticipation: he feels the recent range work has straightened out the bad habit and he’s excited for another shot at a major championship.
Live coverage of the PGA Championship will be available through usual broadcasters and streaming services during the week.