Rory McIlroy has turned to unconventional training equipment—specifically two modified “Frankenstein clubs” built with 45-degree off-center jumbo putting grips—to reverse a severe slump in his ball-striking form and contend at the BMW Championship, according to reports from Paul Hodowanic at Bellerive Country Club and the Irish Times.
Frankenstein Clubs and Swing Adjustments at Bellerive
Following a difficult outing in Memphis at the St. Jude Championship where he finished in 66th position and trailed winner Scottie Scheffler by 15 strokes over the first two days, McIlroy returned briefly to Florida to work with coach Michael Bannon, as reported by Paul Hodowanic. To fix his takeaway and right-arm structure, McIlroy introduced an extra lob wedge and 7-iron featuring Flat Cat putter grips installed 45 degrees off-center. McIlroy told Hodowanic that the custom training aids help support the club at the top of his swing and allow him to control his shot shape. Alongside these modified clubs, McIlroy adopted a new pre-shot rehearsal where he takes the club back until it is parallel with his waist and visually checks his position before executing a shot.
Contending at the BMW Championship Through 36 Holes
The adjustments produced an immediate impact on the softened fairways of Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. According to the Irish Times, McIlroy opened the tournament with a bogey-free, six-under 64 that featured a birdie-birdie finish to share the early lead. Through 36 holes, McIlroy sits at 7-under par, five strokes behind leader Wyndham Clark, while ranking 14th in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. This performance marks a sharp contrast to his play in Memphis, where slumped shoulders and poor ball-striking characterized his rounds. The Irish Times noted that the larger, longer course layout at Bellerive suited McIlroy’s style of play, allowing him to recover effectively even when missing occasional tee shots.
Pro Tip: Replicating Swing Feels
Contrasting Fortunes for Golf’s Top Rankings
The tournament also highlighted the unpredictable nature of professional golf form, as world number one Scottie Scheffler struggled during the opening rounds at Bellerive. The Irish Times reported that Scheffler carded a hat-trick of bogeys starting on the third hole and posted an outward nine of 38, putting him significantly behind McIlroy on the leaderboard. While Scheffler dominated the previous week in Memphis to cement his spot atop the FedEx Cup standings, McIlroy sits four better than Scheffler on the leaderboard, positioning both players for the upcoming 30-player Tour Championship in Atlanta regardless of the outcome at Bellerive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What training aids is Rory McIlroy using at the BMW Championship?
According to Paul Hodowanic, McIlroy is using an extra lob wedge and 7-iron fitted with a Flat Cat putter grip attached.
How did McIlroy perform in the tournament’s opening rounds?
As reported by the Irish Times, McIlroy bounced back from a 66th-place finish in Memphis by opening the BMW Championship with a bogey-free 64, putting him 7-under through 36 holes.
Who is McIlroy’s swing coach?
According to Paul Hodowanic, McIlroy works with coach Michael Bannon, whom he visited in Florida between tournaments to address his recent swing flaws.
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