What Wayne Riley noticed happened during Rory McIlroy’s range session in Abu Dhabi as he works on swing changes

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World number three Rory McIlroy has a new swing on show at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

McIlroy worked on his technique after the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The Northern Irishman also revealed that he spent hours in various studios whilst paying little attention to his ball flight.

The early signs were positive at Yas Links after McIlroy carded a five-under 68 on day one. The four-time major winner has incorporated a new movement before he takes the club away, and Sky Sports commentator Wayne Riley likes what he’s seen thus far.

Wayne Riley shares verdict on Rory McIlroy’s swing

• READ MORE: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2024: Everything you need to know as Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton & more stars in action

Speaking during Sky Sports‘ second-round coverage, Riley admitted he’s pleased to see McIlroy use a rehearsal instead of starting from a still position.

“All I see is the rehearsal there,” Riley explained. “I like to see that because most of the time, Rory starts in a stagnant position, a still position. I don’t really like that. Even though a few greats have done that, Nicklaus waggled, and Tiger waggled a little. He doesn’t – Seve didn’t. But look at that movement, which means he is starting from a motion position.”

“Now what he is doing, I feel, and this is just my opinion, he is just trying to create a little more width with the backswing. Look, I have stood here, and I have been standing here for a while now, and he hasn’t missed a shot.

“He got here, and he hit some flat wedges, which I absolutely adore because Rory likes to get high with the wedges, and they can stall up there. But with the flatter ones, you can only be more consistent, which was great to see.”

Riley added: “He is just trying to get the hands inside the club head. That is just a high, soft, right-to-left draw, and that is Rory McIlroy’s trademark. It’s the way he plays.

“It’s dynamic to watch, and that’s what he is working on. I just feel he is trying to get a little more width; he’s not changing his swing much at all. This guy could play golf with a garden hose; he really could. He is one of the most natural dynamic players who has ever lived.”

Rory McIlroy swing change could make difference in 2025

McIlroy making adjustments to his swing ahead of the 2025 season is the right move. At times over the past six months, the 35-year-old has been let down by his technique. The US Open, Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship are the three prominent examples.

Despite recent disappointment, McIlroy’s 2024 season hasn’t been a complete disaster. The Northern Irishman is regularly in contention and probably in need of some fine-tuning in order to turn his fortunes around in the new year.

With the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, 2025 may be the best chance for McIlroy to end his 11-year wait for major number five.