Rory McIlroy was left speechless at the US Open after discovering that his coach had revealed the secret behind his improved form on live television. The six-time major champion has arrived at Shinnecock Hills this week hoping to secure his second US Open trophy, and his first since 2011. The Northern Irishman will be eager to prevent any further disclosures of his behind-the-scenes preparations following the furore that erupted in 2024 involving his putting coach, Brad Faxon.
McIlroy's Stunning Revelation
McIlroy, 37, sat tied for second behind eventual victor Bryson DeChambeau going into the final round at Pinehurst two years ago. He was intensely concentrated on ending his decade-long major drought but was rendered virtually speechless after Faxon's punditry stint. While working for NBC Sports, Faxon detailed how McIlroy discovered that a minor adjustment to his technique enhanced his swing.
Faxon's Punditry Stint
The 64-year-old recounted their exchange where Faxon said McIlroy had told his agent Sean O'Flaherty: "Sean, I just figured it out." When pressed to elaborate further, Faxon claimed McIlroy told his agent: "I figured out my swing." Faxon, an eight-time PGA Tour victor, added that he then witnessed a "eureka moment" from his pupil.
Following McIlroy's completion of his Saturday round, Faxon's NBC colleague Kira Dixon, who also works for Sky Sports, informed the golfer what his coach had revealed on air. 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?"
McIlroy's Reaction
A clearly taken aback McIlroy struggled to formulate a response before answering: "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!" Seeking to ease any possible awkwardness, the Holywood golfer chuckled and elaborated: "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."
Competition at Shinnecock Hills
McIlroy is competing alongside former Ryder Cup team-mates Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood throughout the opening two rounds in Southampton, New York. The layout at Shinnecock is famously demanding, with McIlroy acknowledging the difficulties the players will face during the competition. 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 received watering during the Monday practice round owing to how firm the greens had become, with the powerful winds at Long Island also anticipated to contribute to the challenging conditions.
