With the Masters two weeks away, Rory McIlroy has reportedly begun work with a new instructor. According to ESPN, McIlroy is now working with Pete Cowen, a longtime instructor who has worked with such notables as Brooks Koepka, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.
McIlroy’s agent Sean O’Flaherty confirmed the news in a text message to ESPN that read simply, “Pete is an addition to Rory’s performance team.”
The world No. 11 most recently missed the cut at the Players Championship, later admitting to getting sucked into the chase for distance.
“I’m looking forward to (getting home),” McIlroy said at the Players after teeing it up four consecutive weeks and seven of the last eight. “I don’t want to say it’s been a long four weeks, but it’s funny. I used to think four weeks in a row was nothing, and then I feel like I’m getting old because by the fourth week I’m like, a little achy, a couple things are hurting, so I’m looking forward to getting home.
“That’s not the reason I didn’t play very well this week, but yeah, it’s felt like a long four weeks.”
His best finish in 10 starts in 2021 was a T5 at the Masters in November. He has not won on the PGA Tour since the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in November 2019.
McIlroy, who became a father in September when daughter Poppy was born, previously worked with instructor Michael Bannon, a relationship that began when McIlroy was just a kid.