Why Jack Nicklaus believes Rory McIlroy hasn’t won a major in almost 10 years
Jack Nicklaus, the legendary 18-time major winner, expressed his admiration for Rory McIlroy during the Golf Channel’s coverage of the Memorial Tournament, which Nicklaus hosts. While praising McIlroy’s talent and character, Nicklaus shared insights into why McIlroy hasn’t won a major since his 2014 PGA Championship victory at Valhalla. McIlroy, who won four majors by…
Jack Nicklaus, the legendary 18-time major winner, expressed his admiration for Rory McIlroy during the Golf Channel’s coverage of the Memorial Tournament, which Nicklaus hosts. While praising McIlroy’s talent and character, Nicklaus shared insights into why McIlroy hasn’t won a major since his 2014 PGA Championship victory at Valhalla.
McIlroy, who won four majors by the age of 25, has had a series of close finishes and high expectations but has been unable to secure another major win in nearly a decade. Since 2014, his best major results include second place at the 2022 Masters and 2023 U.S. Open, along with multiple top-10 finishes. Despite winning 17 PGA Tour events since his last major, McIlroy’s inability to break his major drought has puzzled many, including Nicklaus.
Nicklaus suggested that the issue might be mental, indicating that McIlroy sometimes loses focus during tournaments. He said, “He seems to not be able to focus all the way around,” suggesting that McIlroy’s inconsistency might be a barrier to his success. Analyst Frank Nobilo added that McIlroy’s best performances are exceptional, but his worst are significantly subpar, echoing Nicklaus’s sentiments.
Looking ahead, McIlroy has two more major starts this year, including the upcoming U.S. Open in four days, presenting further opportunities to end his major win drought.
Nicklaus also shared his thoughts on other prominent golfers. He praised Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and this year’s Masters winner, for his consistency and calm demeanor, likening Scheffler’s steady play to his own during his prime. “Scheffler is fantastic,” Nicklaus remarked, noting Scheffler’s ability to avoid mistakes and consistently deliver strong performances.
Commenting on Justin Thomas, a 15-time PGA Tour winner who has struggled recently, Nicklaus pointed out that Thomas’s challenges might stem from a lack of discipline in crucial moments. Nicklaus remarked, “He’s got four, five bogeys on that scorecard and still shot one-under par. That to me is making mistakes you shouldn’t make.”
As the golfing world watches, McIlroy, Scheffler, and Thomas will continue to navigate their careers under the scrutiny and encouragement of one of the sport’s greatest legends.