Rory McIlroy has been warned by his former agent, Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, that his 'spark has gone out' ahead of The Open at Royal Birkdale. Chandler, who managed McIlroy from his professional debut in 2007 until their split in October 2011, also branded the Northern Irishman a 'one-course pony'.
Chandler's Harsh Verdict on McIlroy's Form
Speaking to BetVictor ahead of The Open Championship, Chandler said: 'I think the spark has gone out of Rory McIlroy heading into The Open.' He noted that McIlroy's performance has declined since winning the Masters for a second consecutive year in April. At the PGA Championship, McIlroy finished tied for seventh, and at the US Open, he tied for 32nd.
Chandler added: 'There's deja vu from last year with Rory McIlroy dropping off after the Masters. Augusta is tailor-made for Rory McIlroy. When he went there and led and blew up on that back nine in 2011 when I was managing him, it really wasn't a surprise because he had the ball striking for Augusta. If he had more experience then, he would have won by four or five that year.'
McIlroy's Struggles with Wind and Wedge Play
Chandler expressed confusion over McIlroy's difficulties in windy conditions and on firm greens. 'One thing I don't understand is that he struggles when there's a bit of wind and the greens are firm. I don't understand that because you get that at Augusta. At the US Open, his wedge play was hopeless in places. Yet he's quite a good wedge player. It didn't tally with what was going on. What you were watching was odd because you know he's a good wedge player.'
Despite the criticism, Chandler believes McIlroy will still win another major. 'I'd be surprised if he doesn't win a major somewhere,' he said. However, he warned that McIlroy risks becoming a 'one-course pony' if he focuses too much on the Masters, where he could aim for an unprecedented third consecutive title.
Legacy and Comparisons to Tiger Woods
Chandler noted that McIlroy's chipping has also deteriorated. 'That's what happens when you win. He dropped off after he won the career slam but that's no surprise. When you've had that as your focus for five years, it's going to be more difficult to get up after that.'
He concluded: 'It begs the question. Is he a one course pony? I think he got up for trying to win all four in a year. His legacy is more important than anything to him. Will he prove that he's had a better career than Tiger Woods? Probably not.'
The Open at Royal Birkdale begins on Thursday, July 16. Chandler commented on the course: 'I've played Birkdale and if there's no wind, the scoring will be very low. I would have thought it's pretty much straight other than that it will be breezy and firm.'
