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Rory McIlroy splits from coach Pete Cowen, returns to Bannon

McIlroy turned to Cowen earlier this year in a bid to improve his form, but the relationship has ended for now.



Rory McIlroy splits from coach...
Golf

Rory McIlroy splits from coach Pete Cowen, returns to Bannon

Rory McIlroy has ended his stint working with renowned swing coach Pete Cowen. 

The four-time major winner has linked up once again with long-time coach Michael Bannon instead.

McIlroy turned to Cowen earlier this year in a bid to improve his form, but the relationship has ended for now.

He says that he can still consult the Englishman - but confirmed to Golfweek that he is back working with Bannon on a regular basis.

"Yes, Michael and I are back working together,” McIlroy said.

“I’ve always had a relationship with Pete and I’ll ask for his input if I feel I need it.

"But now it’s Michael and me."

It's believed that Cowen and McIlroy last worked together at the Ryder Cup in late September.

That was a particularly gruelling week for the Holywood native, where he struggled to gain any momentum.

He won a single point in four matches, it coming on the final day in the singles against Xander Schauffele.

However, McIlroy was dropped by captain Padraig Harrington for one session of play having failed to take a point from any of the three foursome and fourball matches he played in.

It was the first time the 32-year-old missed a session at the Ryder Cup since his debut in 2010.

He bounced back from the disappointment of that week, however, to take a second victory of the year at the PGA Tour's CJ Cup shortly after.

He had begun working with Bannon prior to that event.

Bannon is McIlroy's long-time mentor, stretching back to his days as a childhood prodigy at just eight years old.

But he had remained in Northern Ireland during the pandemic, with McIlroy then bringing Pete Cowen into a more influential role eight months ago.

Cowen is one of the best-known coaches in the game, having worked with dozens of top players including Brooks Koepka and Lee Westwood.

However, despite a win at Quail Hollow, McIlroy's form has been indifferent in 2021.

He missed the cut at the Masters but did register a top-ten at the US Open.

McIlroy is set to play in the European Tour's season-ending DP World Tour Championship next week.

Earlier this week, the Tour announced a rebrand ahead of the 2022 season.

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European Tour Golf Michael Bannon Pete Cowen Rory McIlroy