Rory McIlroy’s coach has a brilliant drill to help amateur golfers hole more putts from close range

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Rory McIlroy has come on leaps and bounds with his putting in recent years, with his coach Brad Faxon playing a crucial role in that improvement.

Faxon thinks Rickie Fowler could contend at The Open, although he will be very eager for McIlroy to be in that position too come Sunday.

The Northern Irishman has made a positive start to his tournament, carding a one-under 70 to finish Thursday three shots back.

McIlroy enjoyed his 2019 Open second round at Royal Portrush, despite missing the cut in front of his home fans.

But he’s won The Masters and has become a grand slam champion since then, helped massively by the putting expertise of Faxon.

Brad Faxon’s brilliant drill to help amateurs hole more close-range putts

And Faxon has a brilliant drill for amateur golfers to improve from close range on the greens, which has been shared by The Golfer’s Journal.

Demonstrating, Faxon noted: “The dreaded 3, 4, 5, footer. Why are you missing short putts, and what can you do to make more of them?

READ MORE: Three reasons why Rory McIlroy can be quietly confident about winning The Open Championship at Royal Portrush

“I’m right below the hole here from four feet. And then I’d hit three putts from each of these points on the compass, and I’d hit these three putts at three different speeds.

“So the first putt I would have just barely get to the front edge. The second putt I’d hit into the back of the hole so it almost hits the back of the hole and goes up. And then I’d hit one at what I would call golf course speed, normal speed.

“And see if you can work on your touch a little bit. Remember Tiger Woods’ famous chip shot on the 16th hole at The Masters when it seemed like it was on the edge for eternity before Verne Lundquist said, ‘In your life’.

“I’m going to try and hit this as softly as I can into that right edge of the hole. I’m going to hit this one firmly, back of the hole first.

“I did a good job with that one, pat yourself on the back, it’s okay. Normal Speed here. Look at the hole, let the putter go, hit it.

“That was nice. That was a good sequence of what we’re trying to do with this game. Remember exploring the boundaries.

“This is great to do this before you go to play, you’re working on your routine while you do it. And if you wanted to practice after you left the golf course, set yourself a target. What am I going to do? I’m going to make 10 out of 12 of these.

“It’s funny how a drive that goes 300 yards right down the middle has the same importance as a three footer.”

Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Tour putting stats heading into The Open

Faxon enjoyed a superb career on the PGA Tour, with the American winning eight times from his 708 appearances.

He’s now sharing his expertise with McIlroy, and it is clear the veteran is having a positive impact on the player’s putting.

READ MORE: The drill Rory McIlroy first used which helped completely transform his putting

The Northern Irishman currently occupies sixth spot for putting average on the PGA Tour, a stat led by Justin Thomas.

His fellow American Sam Burns meanwhile leads the way for strokes gained putting, but McIlroy is close behind in fourth.