Rory McIlroy’s last Major win was in 2014, a year that saw the Northern Irishman dominate the golf world with wins at The Open, the PGA Championship, the BMW PGA Championship, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, and finishing as European No.1. However, a decade later, McIlroy’s success in Majors has not seen any additional wins, with 2024 being a year of near misses highlighted by a heartbreaking loss at the US Open. Despite three wins in 2024, McIlroy has faced frustration with near misses at other tournaments, but his game has remained consistently at a high level.
When comparing the statistics of 2014 Rory versus 2024 Rory, it is clear that 2014 Rory was playing at a higher level in almost all statistical categories. According to Strokes Gained and his rank on the PGA Tour, 2014 Rory outperformed 2024 Rory in almost every aspect of the game. Even in driving distances and accuracy, while 2024 Rory is hitting the ball farther and more accurately, his Strokes Gained off the tee has decreased as the competition has caught up to him.
One positive aspect for 2024 Rory is his improved performance around the greens and his sharpened short game, including better scrambling. While he is averaging slightly fewer putts per round this year, his ranking in putting has dropped significantly from first in 2014 to 42nd in 2024. In terms of scoring, 2014 Rory outperforms 2024 Rory in all categories, with the latter being half a stroke worse off on average. This drop in scoring has seen McIlroy’s ranking drop from first to 52nd on the PGA Tour.
A concerning statistic for McIlroy is his performance in the first two rounds of tournaments, where he is almost a stroke and a half worse off than in 2014. This trend is particularly alarming in the second round, where McIlroy struggles and is not far off a full stroke worse off. Despite these statistics, McIlroy has consistently been in contention in tournaments, but recent swing changes highlight the need for improvement.
In terms of Strokes Gained statistics, McIlroy was once the standout player on the PGA Tour, but has been caught and overtaken by Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in 2024. This has led to McIlroy dropping from topping three main Strokes Gained stats to being in the top six. Even when performing at his best, McIlroy is not able to pull as far ahead of the competition as he once could. The standard of play has clearly risen around him, making it challenging for McIlroy to dominate in the same way he did in 2014.
Despite the setbacks and challenges faced by McIlroy in 2024, his talent and determination are evident in his consistent performance and near misses. As he continues to make adjustments to his game and strive for improvement, McIlroy remains a formidable force on the golf course. Whether he can recapture the success of his 2014 season in the future remains to be seen, but his dedication and skill ensure that he will continue to be a player to watch in the world of golf.
