Rory McIlroy has awkward moment in live TV exchange at US Open as he accuses coach of ‘giving away all our secrets’
RORY MCILROY accused his coach of “giving away all our secrets” on live TV yesterday.
McIlroy was reflecting on his third round in the US Open when he had to shut down a question about a change in his swing that had been revealed by putting coach Brad Faxon.
McIlroy shot a 69 at Pinehurst yesterday leaving him just three shots off the lead heading into the final day of the US Open.
And the 35-year-old has looked closer to his old self as he competes to take home a fifth career major – a first since 2014.
The secret to his competitiveness could be down to an impromptu practice on his flight home from the Memorial Tournament in Ohio last weekend.
When speaking to Sky Sports he was asked if it was down to a “eureka moment” that had been explained to them by his putting coach Brad Faxon.
Sky reporter Kira K Dixon said: “Our NBC colleague Brad Faxon was saying on the broadcast that you had a bit of a eureka moment on the plane from the Memorial Tournament back home.”
Probing: “You figured something out, you got up and you were making some practice swings apparently. Is this true and what is the eureka moment?”
McIlroy was left with a shocked look on his face and dodged giving the question a proper answer, while jokingly hitting out at his loose-lipped coach too.
He said: “Okay. Erm, it may be true. I don’t know if I want to disclose it right now.
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“It’s nice to know that Fax is sort of giving away all of our secrets.”
He added: “We spend a lot of time on planes and I spend a lot of time thinking about my game in the air. Sometimes things come to me.”
Whatever it was he figured out, it’s certainly working.
McIlroy has a real shot of landing himself his first major in almost 10 years and his second US Open title since his 2011 success in Maryland.
Although he will have to hope he can catch up with LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau, who currently leads to field at -7 after carding a superb 67 yesterday.
Rory McIlroy's career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the world top 50.
- 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.