While Rory McIlroy managed to win four times worldwide in 2024, it is probably fair to say that no event left a greater impression than the agony of the US Open, as the Northern Irishman missed out on a fifth major title.
While Rory McIlroy was nearly flawless for four days at Pinehurst, his inability to get across the line perhaps highlighted a weakness in the 35-year-old’s game where he has the potential to make needless mistakes.
Of course, putting was his Achilles heel in those final moments in North Carolina. But it was another part of his game which caused more issues across the year.
McIlroy got himself into pole position at Pinehurst with his putting. He holed a number of lengthy efforts – having hit some average wedge shots across the day.
Rory McIlroy told to call Tiger Woods for advice on one part of the game
In fact, McIlroy’s wedge game was underwhelming on a number of occasions. He was one of the best players on the PGA Tour from tee to green in 2024, while he was outside the top 50 for strokes gained with his approach game.
When you consider how often he would have had a wedge in his hand, that is arguably not good enough. And speaking on Subpar, Rocco Mediate encouraged McIlroy to seek the advice of some of the all-time greats if he wants to get better in that area.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on Jan…
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
“It’s like make a phone call to Tiger, make a phone call to Trevino – that’s who I’d call. ‘Can you give me a day, or an hour?’ All he needs is an hour,” he said.
“Tiger would probably go, ‘yeah, let’s go, why haven’t you asked me before?’ Especially now. Maybe 20 years ago, he would have went, ‘no, get away from me’. But now, he’d say, ‘come on, let’s go’. Because he was an exceptional wedge player. Trevino was the best wedge player. He could do things with it, he still can, it’s just sick.”
How McIlroy’s approach game fared on the PGA Tour in 2024
There are times when McIlroy appears to be playing as well as he has ever done, but he always seems susceptible to an unforced error. It was alarming how lost he looked at The Open Championship as he became one of several big names to miss the cut at Royal Troon.
