Rory McIlroy, a renowned name in the world of professional golf, is once again stepping onto the greens at the Players Championship this week, as the anticipation for the Masters Tournament steadily rises. McIlroy, hailing from Northern Ireland, is no stranger to the Players Championship, having previously savored victory at TPC Sawgrass in 2019, a win that stands as one of his 27 titles on the PGA Tour.
However, despite his impressive record, McIlroy has been facing a dry spell when it comes to major championship victories, a drought that has extended for over a decade. According to golf analyst Brandel Chamblee, this prolonged lack of major wins can be attributed to two factors – a psychological barrier and shortcomings in his iron play.
Chamblee, in an interview with Bunkered, shared his insights about what McIlroy needs to do to secure a career grand slam by winning the Masters. According to him, McIlroy’s inconsistency in major tournaments as compared to regular tour events indicates a mental obstacle that needs to be overcome. In addition to this, Chamblee emphasized that McIlroy must improve his iron play to regain his winning momentum.
A decade ago, McIlroy was second only to Tiger Woods in Strokes Gained: Approach, picking up more than a shot on the field. Now, he’s only gaining about a quarter of a shot. This suggests a technical issue that McIlroy needs to address, along with the substantial mental hurdle in the majors.
Despite these challenges, McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Tour season has been off to a promising start. He claimed victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, setting a positive tone for the year. His subsequent finishes at the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational were also commendable, giving him a confidence boost as he heads into the Players Championship.
Chamblee remains optimistic about McIlroy’s potential for future success, even going so far as to label him ‘arrogant’ when he has a golf club in his hand. According to him, McIlroy’s skill and ability to hit a ball is unparalleled, making him a strong contender in any tournament. Furthermore, Chamblee speaks highly of McIlroy’s character, describing him as socially aware, sincere, and respectful.
McIlroy’s major championship victories include a win at the US Open in 2011, followed by the PGA Championship in 2012. In 2014, he added victories at The Open Championship and another PGA Championship to his tally. However, the Masters remains the only major championship that has eluded him so far.
As the world watches McIlroy’s performance at the Players Championship, many are hopeful that his winning streak will resume, ending the decade-long drought and adding another major championship to his resume.
