To understand the rebirth of Rory McIlroy and the journey of self-discovery that led to his thrilling return to the winner’s circle at the Players Championship on Sunday, we need to head back to the US Open last June.
It was a week where Rory was hellbent on making amends for missing the cut the previous two years, and for failing to do himself justice in the final round of the Masters, where he was well beaten by Patrick Reed.
It was a time when he turned up at Long Island 10 days before the event, played or practised during the day, and walked the course in the evening shadows. Where he lived and breathed the venue — Shinnecock Hills.
Journey of self-discovery led to Rory McIlroy's thrilling return to the winner's circle on Sunday
Wife Erica
She has had a big role to play in helping me get a better sense of perspective. After not winning the Masters last year I had a few weeks of staring into the distance and binge-watching box sets and she was the one who dragged me out of it. It’s great to be with someone at the end of the day where you don’t talk about golf.
Caddie Harry Diamond
He has been a massive help. We have been together 20 months and people think he’s on the bag because he’s my best friend but he’s an accomplished golfer. He knows when to talk to me and when I need to be distracted, and he knows my swing because we have had the same coach since we were about six. He’s so committed and he’s become one of the best caddies.
Putting coach Brad Faxon
We got together about a year ago. It might seem strange but most of the work is done away from the putting green. It’s catching up for a coffee, it’s chatting. He’s a smart individual and because he played at a high level and was a brilliant putter, it’s talking to him about how he felt over pressure putts and how he felt on the course.
Also part of the team
Coach Michael Bannon has been with McIlroy since day one. Manager Sean O’Flaherty, a low handicap golfer and graduate of Trinity College, took over in 2013 when McIlroy left Horizon Sports agency.
Rory the bookworm
(What he’s been reading)
David and Goliath (Malcolm Gladwell) The probability of improbable events, with famous examples of underdog triumphs.
The Chimp Paradox (Steve Peters) How to act in your best interests and take control of your emotions.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg McKeown) How to be disciplined in decision-making.
Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell) How little things make a big difference.
Awaken the Giant Within (Tony Robbins) How to take control of mental, emotional, physical and financial destiny.
The 7 habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey) How to adopt the correct approach in achieving one’s goals.
What happened when the event began? After 10 holes, he stood at eight over par.
‘When I analysed what had gone wrong, I realised that I’d let golf define not only my professional life but who I was as a person,’ he said.
‘If I shot 65 I was happy and if I shot 75 I was sad. Over the past seven months I’ve worked really hard on my attitude, especially my attitude to golf, and separating it from who I am as a person.
‘I’ve had a few people point me in the right direction but mostly I’ve worked it out myself. I’ve read a lot of self-help books. It took me a while to get to that point where I realised who those two people were, but it’s been a big help this year. It’s the reason I’m now so consistent, giving myself a chance to win most weeks. I don’t have the highs and lows that I used to have because I have that perspective.’
It was all there on another dramatic Sawgrass Sunday, where
