With the exception of one start, McIlroy, 34, has not placed within the top 20 after a scorching start to the year in Dubai. The world number two defended his Dubai Desert Classic title the week after Tommy Fleetwood cruelly defeated him in the Dubai Invitational.
However, that form abandoned him after he came back to the States from the Middle East, as he finished 15 shots off pace at Pebble Beach. Even while McIlroy managed to get in the top 20 at The Players the last time around, he was still well behind the champion, world number one Scottie Scheffler.
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“Since I first met Butch at the age of 14, our relationship has always been positive. He’s the one I want to see for a second opinion, if there is one.
“After watching The Players and feeling like I was missing something with my irons and swing after that Florida swing, I just thought to myself, ‘I’m obviously missing something here.'”
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Before the 2016 PGA Championship, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy converses with Butch Harmon during a practice round.
Harmon and McIlroy have been friends since the early days of his professional career (Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images).)
And I would really like to go get a second opinion from him, to have a second pair of eyes look at things. The thing with Butch is that whether or not you’re hitting it better at the end of the day, spending time with him will always make you feel better about yourself.
In a manner, he’s a psychotherapist and a golf coach. Going out there is enjoyable; I went to Vegas and I think we spent around four hours together.”
At the Rio Secco Golf Club in Las Vegas, Harmon is the director of the Butch Harmon School of Golf. He resides in Henderson, Nevada. The seasoned teacher has worked with a who’s who of golfing greats and has 60 years of experience in the game.