McIlroy: "Haven't Driven The Ball Like Myself Since 2019"

The Northern Irishman suggests that he needs to rediscover his best driving form in order to win Major titles again, after nearly seven years since his last victory.

McIlroy: Haven't driven the ball like myself since 2019
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Northern Irishman suggests that he needs to rediscover his best driving form in order to win Major titles again.

McIlroy: "Haven't Driven The Ball Like Myself Since 2019"

However, the Northern Irishman finished T49 at Kiawah Island and five over par for the weekend, meaning he hasn't won a Major since his 2014 victory at the PGA Championship.

"Probably haven't driven the ball like myself since 2019, so I need to figure it out," McIlroy said.

"I just need to figure out a driver, I just haven't driven the ball as well as I know that I can for a long time, and that's the foundation of my game.

McIlroy: Haven't Driven The Ball Like Myself Since 2019

"Once I'm driving it well, everything becomes so much easier.

"I just haven't driven the ball like myself for a while.

When asked about whether that involved figuring out the swing or the equipment, he responded that it was a combination of the two.

"I think a little bit of both.

"It was a good test this week to see where I was, and I still have a way to go."

At the 2021 PGA Championship, McIlroy ranked 47th in strokes gained off-the-tee, with +0.05.

When compared to previous years though, the four-time Major winner is clearly falling short.

Throughout the PGA Tour in 2019, his strokes gained off-the-tee averaged +1.25, while it dropped to +0.85 in 2020 and then +0.82 for this year.

For comparison, the year of his last Major victory in 2014 also equalled his best season off-the-tee, where he averaged +1.52 shots gained.

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Ryan has worked as a junior staff writer for Golf Monthly since 2021.