Rory McIlroy ally dangles carrot in front of 'upset' Brooks Koepka

Rory McIlroy's putting coach, Brad Faxon, has hinted he may like to work with Brooks Koepka in the future.

The five-time major champion returned to the PGA Tour in January after bringing the curtain down on his LIV Golf career.

But Koepka has been frustrated with his performances this season and has not posted a single top-10 finish.

The American, 36, told reporters last Sunday at the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship it was "pathetic" he couldn't even reach the play-offs.

Faxon told the Sky Sports Golf podcast that although he doesn't know Koepka that well, he enjoys a "good" relationship with him.

"You know, I see things in this game that sometimes surprise me," he told the pod.

"When Scottie Scheffler was struggling with his putting, he went to putting coach, Phil Kenyon, who has helped so many great players.

"But at first, I was like, 'ooh, [this is] the personality match here of, you know, what I see with Scottie Scheffler and his coach, Randy Smith'.

"It doesn't look too technical, they're not using all kinds of data to help him.

"But he [Kenyon] has really helped him with his putting. I mean, he's become a top putter now, and it's remarkable."

Faxon added: "And, you know, for Brooks, he's had one guy down here named Jeff Pierce, that's been his guy, and then, I think when he went off to LIV, maybe those guys weren't as available or something happened.

"And then all of a sudden, he's switching putters and switching coaches. I don't know, it's hard.

"I've done that as much as anybody as well, and I'd love to have a conversation with Brooks to just talk about how he thinks."

Faxon said he watched Koepka's post-round interview where he revealed he'd be making dramatic changes in the off-season.

Koepka said his performance was pathetic.

He needed at least a share of fourth to advance to the postseason, which begins this week in Memphis at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

Koepka said he "struck the ball great" as he has done so all season but doesn't know "what the deal is" when he reaches the greens.

"Got zero confidence, can't putt," he said. "I don't know. There's going to be a lot of changes here soon.

"[I am] pretty disappointed. I think it's pretty pathetic that I can't get through.

"Zero top-10s basically in two years. To be in the prime of my career and be as good as I think I am, I think that's very pathetic, disappointing."

Although his PGA Tour season has ended sooner than he would've liked, Koepka said we will be seeing more of him in 2026. 

He plans to play in Europe on the DP World Tour before playing some events in the FedEx Cup Fall. 

Koepka has not confirmed his next start.