Rory McIlroy was left flabbergasted at the US Open when learning that one of his coaches divulged the secret that changed his game on live TV. The six-time major champion has travelled to Shinnecock Hills this week in a bid to pick up his second US Open title - and first since 2011.
The Northern Irishman will certainly be keen to avoid any further reveals of his behind-the-scenes work this time around following the controversy that ensued in 2024 with his putting coach Brad Faxon.
McIlroy, 37, was tied for second behind eventual winner Bryson DeChambeau heading into the final round at Pinehurst two years ago. He was laser-focused in his aim to end his decade-long wait for a major but was left almost speechless after Faxon's punditry appearance.
When working for NBC Sports, Faxon explained how McIlroy realised that a slight change to his technique improved his swing. The 64-year-old recalled their conversation where Faxon said McIlroy had told his agent Sean O'Flaherty: "Sean, I just figured it out."
When asked to explain further, Faxon claimed McIlroy told his agent: "I figured out my swing." Faxon, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, added that he then witnessed a "eureka moment" from his pupil.
After McIlroy finished his Saturday session, Faxon's NBC Colleague Kira Dixon - who also works for Sky Sports - told the golfer what his coach had declared on the airwaves. She 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. You figured something out, you got up and you were making some practice swings apparently. Is this true and what is the eureka moment?'"
A visibly surprised McIlroy struggled to muster up a response before replying: "Okay...it may be true. I don't know if I want to disclose it right now. It's nice to know that Fax is sort of giving away all of our secrets!'" Attempting to diffuse any potential tension, the Holywood golfer laughed and explained: "No, I know, I know, but...we spend a lot of times on planes and I spend a lot of time thinking about my game in the air. Sometimes things come to me."
McIlroy is playing alongside former Ryder Cup team-mates Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood during the first two rounds in Southampton, New York. The course at Shinnecock is notoriously difficult, with McIlroy addressing the challenges the players will endure during the tournament.
The Northern Irishman said: "I think, look, it's a unique golf course. The members at Shinnecock will tell you they do that every single day. Every single day at this course the members play, they put water on the course at 2:00pm."
The course was watered during the Monday practice round due to the firmness of the green, with the strong winds in Long Island also expected to add to the troublesome conditions.
