Rory McIlroy gives away his two ‘big fundamentals’ when on the green which help him hole more putts 

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When Rory McIlroy reflects on his 2024 season, his missed par putt on the 72nd hole of the US Open will quickly come to mind.

The Northern Irishman knew a par would pile the pressure on Bryson DeChambeau coming up the last. Instead, the LIV Golf star produced a remarkable bunker shot, got up and down, and clinched his second major title.

Had McIlroy‘s putting technique withstood the Pinehurst pressure, major number five would’ve found its way onto his glittering record book.

Many were quick to criticise the 35-year-old’s performance in North Carolina; however, his 2024 season statistics made it clear that what happened at Pinehurst was largely due to the intense situation.

McIlroy ranked 59th for strokes gained on the PGA Tour, 45th for putting average, 21st for one-putt percentage and third from inside five feet; clearly, the nightmare on the 18th was an anomaly.

Rory McIlroy’s ‘fundamentals’ which help him hole more putts

In fact, much of McIlroy’s success is due to his work with the flat stick. With this in mind, amateurs would be wise to listen to the Northern Irishman’s advice.

Speaking during a masterclass at the start of 2024 in Dubai, McIlroy revealed two basics that helped him start his ball on his target line and ultimately hole more putts.

“My two big fundamentals in my putting stroke are getting my right up in position and tucked in – sometimes it floats out a little bit, and then I can get puts that miss left. So I really try to get my right arm tucked in, and from there, I focus on my alignment,” McIlroy explained.

“I take it back and just think about my right shoulder going down, and then it just goes down the target line.”

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When is Rory McIlroy playing next?

McIlroy will return to the UAE on January 16 for the Dubai Desert Classic. The Northern Irishman is the defending champion and will be looking to start 2025 in the same form he ended last year.

After falling short at the US Open, Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship, McIlroy finally returned to the winners’ circle at the DP World Tour Championship and also topped the order of merit.

The Northern Irishman’s victory at the Earth Course was his fourth in 2024 after the Wells Fargo Championship, Zurich Classic, and aforementioned Dubai Desert Classic.

Looking at the PGA Tour schedule, McIlroy is expected to play the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach before the Genesis Invitational. After the event at Riviera, the Northern Irishman’s attention will turn to Augusta and the pursuit of his first green jacket.