Rory McIlroy wants to fix 'bad habits' with his swing ahead of Irish Open defence
Rory McIlroy says he is fully intent on eradicating some “bad habits” with his swing ahead of this week’s Irish Open defence at the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg.
The Northern Irishman returns to the DP World Tour for the next two tournaments as his Irish Open involvement will then be followed up by competing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The back-to-back Masters champion was tied for fourth in his last outing at the Tour Championship but attention will now turn to the DP World Tour, where he will try to equal Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai crowns.
McIlroy will begin the defence of the title he won at the K Club last year alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Robert MacIntyre and Brooks Koepka, who has received a tournament invite, at 1.35pm on Thursday.
“I played Memphis (FedEx St Jude Championship) and played very poorly, and was looking at my swing on video and just didn’t like where it was,” the 37-year-old said.
“I submitted to making a few changes – not changes that are unfamiliar to me, changes that I have had to do before.
“Everyone has their tendencies and bad habits in the golf swing and I just got into a bad habit in mine.
“It is still something I am working through and conscious of, but I do think if I can really dig into it in the next few months, I feel like I will start the 2027 year where I want it to be.
“I think everyone’s golf course is a work-in-progress – mine is no different. There is always things that you want to try to improve upon.”
McIlroy is currently second on Race to Dubai standings behind Patrick Reed and he admits the upcoming schedule on the DP World Tour is something he relishes.
He added: “I've made a lot of effort over the last few years to really focus on this part of of the season.
"I think part of that is being in contention for The Race to Dubai again and try to equal Monty, and I've been pretty successful in terms of that over the last few years.
"It's a very competitive part of the season for me but it's also a very fun part of of the season. There's a lot to look forward to.”
McIlroy will be joined in the field at the Irish Open by fellow natives Tom McKibbin and Cormac Sharvin.