EXCLUSIVE: Rory McIlroy told to take leaf out of Nick Faldo’s book to turn Major frown upside down

David Leadbetter, the renowned golf coach, has shared his insights on what Rory McIlroy needs to do to break his Major drought, particularly after McIlroy’s recent performance at the US Open.

Leadbetter believes McIlroy should adopt the strategic approach used by Sir Nick Faldo during his Open Championship victories. Faldo, under Leadbetter’s coaching, won three Opens by meticulously planning his way around the course.

McIlroy, currently ranked world No. 2, last won a Major in 2014. At the recent US Open, McIlroy had a two-shot lead with five holes remaining but faltered, bogeying three of the last four holes and losing to Bryson DeChambeau by one shot. Leadbetter criticized some of McIlroy’s decisions, such as hitting too much club on the par 3 15th hole and making a poor chip on the 18th, which resulted in a difficult par putt.

Leadbetter emphasized that McIlroy needs a better tactical approach, particularly at the upcoming Open at Royal Troon. He hopes McIlroy and his caddie, Harry Diamond, will devise a solid game plan for the Ayrshire links.

“Rory is a bit of an enigma,” Leadbetter said. “He has had a wonderful career but hasn’t won a Major in 10 years. At the US Open, he was in position to win. Some call him a choker, but I believe it was more about bad strategy than choking.”

Leadbetter noted that legendary players like Jack Nicklaus, Faldo, and Tiger Woods would have avoided the strategic mistakes McIlroy made, such as going over the back of the 15th green.

At Royal Troon, where the motto is “Tam Arte Quam Marte” (as much by skill as by strength), McIlroy will need to adopt a careful, strategic approach. Leadbetter explained, “You can’t overpower a links course. The rough will be lush, so hitting fairways and targeting the right spots on the greens will be crucial.”

Reflecting on Faldo’s success, Leadbetter described him as a planner who focused on hitting specific areas of the green and avoiding trouble spots. He believes McIlroy needs to adopt a similar mindset.

Leadbetter also mentioned that Sir Nick Faldo remains the last Englishman to win the Claret Jug, back in 1992. However, he sees potential in Tommy Fleetwood, whom he describes as a good ball-striker and intelligent player capable of performing well at Troon.

“It is crazy Sir Nick is still the last Englishman to win it given the quality of players since then,” Leadbetter added. “But Tommy Fleetwood could be a good dark horse at Troon. He can manipulate the ball in the wind and is a smart player.”

Leadbetter, now based in Florida and promoting his new Golfzon simulators, remains hopeful that both McIlroy and Fleetwood can make their mark at the Open Championship.