ROARING BACK

Mcginley is convinced that Mcilroy’s major drought is about to end

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RORY MCILROY may not win the US PGA Championship but he will claim another Major soon – according to his old Ryder Cup captain Paul Mcginley.

The winds that came sweeping down the plain in Oklahoma yesterday as Mcilroy prepared to set out on his second round rendered predictions for Southern Hills treacherous.

But regardless of the outcome in

Tulsa, the relaxed intensity

Mcginley has seen in his former charge convinces him Mcilroy’s eightyear drought is about to end soon.

The stardust the Northern Irishman sprinkled in his opening 65, hot on the heels of the Sunday fireworks that brought him a runner-up finish at the Masters, took Mcginley back to the Mcilroy he skippered at Gleneagles against the USA in 2014, when he had the golf world at his feet.

“I’m getting giddy now about Mcilroy,” said Mcginley. “If he doesn’t win this week there is another Major Championship coming soon because I really do think he’s on the right tracks here and he just looks the real package to me.

“I’ve observed him so much over the years and I can see a different energy.” Mcginley (left) believes the work Mcilroy has done with veteran American sports psychologist Bob Rotella, who has in the past helped Major champions Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, has changed his outlook and freed up one of the most naturally gifted golfers on the planet to again play to his true potential.

“I really believe the Masters this year and that last round was an ‘ah-ha’ moment for Mcilroy,” said Mcginley.

“It was like, ‘Ah-ha, that’s what Bob Rotella has been telling me. I’ve got the result to validate it and now I really believe in it’.

“What we have seen here is that belief.

“What Bob has brought to the party has been an unburdening of expectation.

“I don’t think those poor first round Major scoring averages were because he wasn’t prepared or because he was nervous

“I think they were because he was burdened by the expectation on his shoulders.

“A lot of the work that Bob Rotella has been doing with him has been about taking that away.

“The energy is there, and there is a poise about him.

“I’ve never been as buoyed about Rory winning a Major championship in the last seven years.”

ON RIGHT TRACK Mcilroy has shown glimpses of his old form at the US PGA