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

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Rory McIlroy is taking a break from the PGA Tour this week, with The Masters champion not in the field for The Memorial Tournament.

McIlroy has come under fire for his decision to skip The Memorial, which represents the latest Signature Event in the schedule.

The Northern Irishman has made nine starts on the PGA Tour in 2025 so far, with McIlroy winning on three occasions.

Along with his success at The Masters, the 29-time PGA Tour champion triumphed at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship.

But another chance for glory is out of the question this week at The Memorial, the tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus.

The drill Brad Faxon used to transform Rory McIlroy’s putting

His putting coach Brad Faxon has, however, been sharing insight into that area of his game on The Smylie Show.

He initially explained that McIlroy told him he didn’t think of anything while driving but had a lot of thoughts while putting, which he wanted to make more natural.

READ MORE: Memorial Tournament 2025: How to watch, prize money, field and everything you need to know

Faxon then revealed a key drill of theirs, saying: “I gave Rory three different clubs to putt with other than his putter and that was helpful to him right then because there is no manual on how to putt with a lob wedge or a five wood.

“He just went back to his instinct and it was really the start of it. In letting him control this thing more than me. We hit lightning in a bottle.

“The funny part is after about 45 or 50 minutes he said to me as we walked out on the green at the Bear’s club, and Jack Nicklaus always made those greens pretty quick going into March and April, into The Masters. He would let those greens get fast and firm.

“And Rory when we walked out there that afternoon it was so windy and he said if you weren’t here there’s no way I would practice putting.

“But by the time after being out there for 45 minutes, I didn’t have to say much anymore, because I thought he was in a good spot.”

Rory McIlroy 2025 PGA Tour putting stats

McIlroy’s superb driving has been crucial to his stunning success over the years, with the Northern Irishman undoubtedly one of the best there is in that area.

He ranks first for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee on the PGA Tour in the 2025 season, and sits third for driving distance.

READ MORE: The big complaint Rory McIlroy had about the golf course set to host the Memorial tournament this week

The Masters champion is also third for putting average, and moves up to second place for one-putt percentage.

And while there is room for improvement in that area, McIlroy has clearly made strides in the eyes of his putting coach.

His putting has certainly come under the spotlight in recent times, with the five-time major champion having missed key putts at the likes of The Masters and the 2024 US Open.

He fell short at the latter after a nightmare putting spree at Pinehurst, but did manage to recover in spectacular fashion at Augusta National this year.