By Rahul Banerji
Right after the US Open, Rory McIlroy cut a forlorn figure. Having watched Bryson DeChambeau muscle his way to victory at Winged Foot, the 32-year-old was caught between a rock and a hard place.
McIlroy had decided to follow the DeChambeau model, with predictable results.
He lost his swing in trying to increase club speed, and ended with missed cuts at the Players Championship and the Masters.
A new approach masterminded by swing coach Pete Cowen however, proved to be a lifeline, and the Northern Ireland golfer found himself back in the winner’s circle at Quail Hollow on Sunday.
McIlroy’s 19th tour title came 563 days after his last win, at the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2019 and was his third Wells Fargo Championship after 2010 and 2015.
Charlotte was also the venue of his very first win on the PGA Tour, something McIlroy was quick to acknowledge.
“This place has been good to me,” said McIlroy later.
Reciprocal love
“Ever since I first set eyes on this golf course, I loved it, and that love has sort of been reciprocated back. I’ve played so well here over the years.”
Given the demons that had taken seed in his mind after the DeChambeau detour, McIroy acknowledged time spent with Cowen was starting to pay off.
He missed the cut at the Masters last month in their first outing together, but success has come quickly.
“This is the first real test that I’ve had since working with Pete and sort of doing some different stuff,” McIlroy said.
“And for it to pretty much hold together all afternoon, first time of asking, I’m excited about that.”
On Sunday, McIlroy (72-66-68-68 — 274, -10) had a 68, including a final hole penalty drop to edge Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (69-70-70-66 — 275, -9) by one shot.
Viktor Hovland (69-72-68-67) and Keith Mitchell (67-71-66-72) tied for third. It was also Ancer’s fourth career runner-up from 115 starts.
Both Ancer and Hovland were bogey-free on the final day.
“Needing to hit good shots down the stretch, I had a couple of very playable swing thoughts that I’ve had all week,” McIlroy pointed out later.
“Obviously I wasn’t expecting to come and win first week straight out again. It’s satisfying to see the work is paying off, but it’s just the start.
“There’s so much more I want to achieve and so much more I want to do in the game……it’s nice validation that I’m on the right track.”
New favourite?
The result at Quail Hollow will push him up the favourites’ list for next week’s US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island where a fifth Major beckons.
Back in 2012, McIlry won the same title for the first time by eight shots.
McIlroy came into the Wells Fargo at 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking. He leaves Charlotte ranked seventh.
“I had a couple of things to fall back on,” McIlroy said,
“That was really important, especially under pressure. Needing to hit good shots down the stretch, I had a couple of very playable swing thoughts that I’ve had all week.
“Pete and I did some good work last week in Florida.”
Also read: Magical Matsuyama motors to Masters mantle, makes history for Asia
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