Brad Faxon drops surprising Rory McIlroy revelation ahead of Playoffs opener

Rory McIlroy had not hit a golf shot since The Open at Royal Birkdale until just a couple of days ago, according to his putting coach Brad Faxon.

The revelation comes as McIlroy prepares to return to action at the FedEx St Jude Championship, the opening event of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs, having enjoyed an extended break from the game following a lacklustre tied 40th at The Open.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, which you can watch further down this page, Faxon suggested McIlroy might need a bit of time to shake off the rust at TPC Southwind having spent the majority of the past three weeks away from golf.

"Until a couple days ago, Rory said he's not hit a shot until he tapped in an 11-inch putt for bogey on the final hole at Birkdale," said Faxon, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour. 

"He hadn't hit a shot until a few days ago, which I thought was funny."

McIlroy's post-Open schedule has been markedly different to the relentless competitive routine he has followed for much of his professional career.

Over the last few weeks, the 37-year-old Northern Irishman has spent time with his family and also enjoyed holidays in Ibiza and Greece, where he was joined by close friends including his caddie Harry Diamond and European Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. 

Here's Rory giving it large in a nightclub:

The break is part of a wider change in McIlroy's approach to his playing schedule.

The Ulsterman has made it clear throughout the season that he wants to spend more time away from the sport, particularly with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy, while reducing the amount of time he spends constantly competing on Tour.

Having finally completed the career Grand Slam with his emotional Masters victory in 2025, McIlroy has arguably earned the opportunity to take a different approach to the game.

Faxon believes there is nothing wrong with McIlroy allowing himself to step away from golf after achieving the biggest remaining goal of his career.

"I don't blame him at all," Faxon said.

"He was craving to do this for his first 17 professional years of his life, and now with these back-to-back Masters wins, he's like I can not only afford financially to do this but mentally, you know, the fatigue you get."

Faxon believes the biggest burden on elite golfers is not necessarily the physical demands of playing tournament golf, but the constant mental pressure that comes with being one of the world's most recognisable sportsmen.

"It's not that he's physically tired after playing a round of golf, it's the mental fatigue of always being in the spotlight and never getting a break," he explained.

"Whether it's from when you walk into the gates or when you go to dinner at night, somebody is always coming up to you."

Faxon added that McIlroy's ability to escape with some of his closest friends has provided a genuine opportunity to switch off from the game.

"I've never seen anyone that is more patient in that situation than Rory, but for him to be able to go out there to the Greek islands with some of his closest friends, the Lowrys and the Diamonds, that's a way to get away from the game."

McIlroy's daughter provided memorable reminder

While McIlroy has been away from the course, Faxon also recalled a memorable comment from the Northern Irishman's daughter Poppy which, he believes, underlines the fact that the 30-time PGA Tour winner has not suddenly forgotten how to play golf.

Faxon referenced a story previously shared by McIlroy, in which Poppy questioned why her father needed to practice when he already knew how to play.

"And you remember his daughter's great quote, when he said to Poppy he had to go practice, and she goes, 'Well, you already know how to play Daddy'," Faxon said.

"That was something Rory said when he left us in that he hasn't forgotten how to play, and I'm sure he hasn't."

That may prove particularly relevant this week, with the six-time major champion returning to competition after almost three weeks away from hitting shots.

McIlroy is currently second in the world rankings behind Scottie Scheffler, and sits 12th in the FedEx Cup standings heading into the Playoffs.

The opening Playoffs event at TPC Southwind features the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings, although Daniel Berger's withdrawal means 69 players will compete this week.

The field will then be reduced to the top 50 for next week's BMW Championship before only the top 30 advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake, where the FedEx Cup champion will be crowned.

McIlroy has an exceptional record in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and is a record three-time champion of the FedEx Cup, having lifted the trophy in 2016, 2019 and 2022.

"Rory has a great record in the Playoffs, especially at East Lake," Faxon concluded. 

Watch the full podcast episode above, with Faxon's comments on McIlroy coming at around the 17-minute mark.

McIlroy returns to a mixed record at TPC Southwind

McIlroy's decision to play this year's FedEx St Jude Championship represents a change from last season, when he skipped the tournament.

His record at TPC Southwind has been mixed down the years. 

He has twice recorded top-five finishes at the venue, in 2019 and 2023, but also missed the cut in 2022 before finishing tied 68th on his most recent appearance in 2024.

That makes this week's tournament something of an unknown for McIlroy.

His talent and Playoffs record mean he remains one of the obvious contenders, but the lack of preparation adds an intriguing variable.

McIlroy's season has also been something of a mixed bag by his own exceptionally high standards with just one win around the world so far in 2026. 

It was thankfully a big one though, as McIlroy became only the fourth player in history to successfully defend the coveted Green Jacket at The Masters in April. 

But his major results this season have got progressively worse, finishing tied seventh at the PGA Championship, tied 32nd at the U.S. Open and tied 40th in his last start at The Open. 

Now, after a lengthy spell away from the golf course, McIlroy begins the final stretch of his season with three potentially decisive weeks ahead.

Out of form and rusty, can he possibly extend his record to four FedEx Cup titles? 

Never write off Rory McIlroy.