• PGA Tour

McIlroy seeking mental edge

ESPN staff
March 2, 2010
Rory McIlroy is looking to make himself sharper at the business end of tournaments © Getty Images
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Dr Bob Rotella accompanied Rory McIlroy during Monday's practice round for the Honda Classic and the Ulsterman is convinced his new mental coach can help him become a regular winner on tour.

McIlroy has been tipped for greatness, with some suggesting he is the heir-apparent to Tiger Woods, but he has just one tour win to his name - at last year's Dubai Desert Classic. He has been in challenging positions on a number of occasions and is looking for Rotella, who has worked with Padraig Harrington, to help him over the line.

"It's not that I think anything is wrong with me or my game," McIlroy told the Belfast Telegraph. "I just think that he can help me in some way and it's definitely not going to hurt.

"I feel as if my putting can get better and I think he can point me in the right direction with pre-shot routine, how to think leading up to hitting the putt. Stuff like that.

"I've read all of his books over the years and find what he says really interesting and appealing.

"I think this could make a couple of shots' difference in tournaments and hopefully turn my top-threes and top-fives into wins. If that happens, it'll be a very worthwhile exercise.

"This is about getting experience and thinking about things at the right time - not hitting it longer or anything like that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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