Rory McIlroy's Former Agent Makes Masters Prediction After Butch Harmon Visit
Rory McIlroy recently visited the renowned coach as he looks to fine-tune his swing ahead of The Masters
Rory McIlroy has tried virtually everything in his power to win The Masters and complete the career Grand Slam, with his best result at the tournament coming in 2022, when he finished runner-up.
This year, McIlroy is reportedly set to arrive at Augusta National late in the week and plans to skip the traditional Par 3 Contest. The Northern Irishman also paid a visit to legendary coach Butch Harmon as he looks to fine-tune his swing before the year's first Major.
Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler witnessed first-hand Harmon's capabilities having coached his former clients Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, and believes the timely link-up could give McIlroy his best chance yet of cracking Augusta and ending his ten-year Major drought.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if Rory makes a big run at it next week," Chandler, who also represented McIlroy when he first turned professional, told Boyle Sports.
"His game will go back to how he used to play, he’ll have Butch’s words of encouragement in his mind and he’ll have been told how good he is for three days. Butch caresses their ego, takes them back to where they were, tells them how good they are, pats them on the a**e and sends them out and says ‘nobody is going to beat you next week’.
"If somebody goes to Butch you can’t see the difference. What Butch does is take the naturalness back and then tells you how good you are for three days, then off you go and you feel great. It used to be fantastic seeing him work with people."
McIlroy, who missed the cut at last year's Masters, expanded on his work with Harmon at this week's Valero Texas Open and said the visit to Las Vegas was "really worthwhile".
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“The one thing with Butch is you go spend time with him and you're always going to feel better about yourself at the end of it whether you're hitting it better or not,” he added. “He's sort of half golf coach, half psychologist in a way.
“It's fun to go out there; I went and spent probably four hours with him in Vegas. He said a couple of things to me that resonated. It's the same stuff that I've been trying to do with my coach Michael, but he sort of just said it in a different way that maybe hit home with me a little bit more."
Chandler was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Masters Golf Odds.
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
Masters Gnomes Seen On Sale At Almost 50 Times Their Original Price
Demand for the sought-after garden ornaments shows no signs of waning, even weeks after the 2024 Major
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golfer Qualifies For Maiden PGA Championship Via OWGR Route
The HyFlyers GC player has booked his spot at May's PGA Championship for the first time...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Brandel Chamblee Argues Tiger Woods Should Stand Alone As The Most Successful PGA Tour Player Ever After Rory McIlroy Lands 25th Title
Tiger Woods and Sam Snead are officially tied on 82 PGA Tour wins apiece - but the Golf Channel analyst suggested the 15-time Major winner should stand alone at the top...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Watch: Rory McIlroy Blasts Out 'Don’t Stop Believin’' On Stage After Zurich Classic Victory
Winning team Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry took to the stage for a singalong after their Zurich Classic victory on Sunday night
By Michael Weston Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Round Three
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry hold a share of the lead at the halfway stage, with a host of other big names in contention too
By Ben Fleming Published
-
'An Olympic Medal Would Be Like A Dream' - Lowry And McIlroy Target Success In Paris
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are ready to get back into the Olympic spirit later this year as they look to win a medal at the Paris 2024 golf tournament
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy Board
The four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
By Mike Hall Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Rounds One And Two
Rory McIlroy plays alongside Shane Lowry in the team event, while a host of other big names are in the field too
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Would Welcome It Wholeheartedly' - New DP World Tour Chief 'Delighted' To See Prospective Return Of Rory McIlroy To PGA Tour Board
DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings is looking forward to seeing European representation on the PGA Tour board once again as McIlroy returns to a role he left only late last year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024
Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
By Mike Hall Published