Former world No 1 Rory McIlroy has hired world-famous instructor Pete Cowen as his new swing coach to replace life-long coach Michael Bannon.
McIlroy has been working with Bannon since the age of eight, but is hoping the change in personnel could spark a return to form ahead of next month’s Masters.
Cowen has worked with the likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett, Darren Clarke and Tommy Fleetwood in the past and is currently coaching Brooks Koepka, Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter.
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According to the Telegraph, Bannon has not been seen with McIlroy on the PGA Tour in recent months, which raised a few eyebrows. That could, however, just be due to travel restrictions with McIlroy wanting a coach that will be in America more often.
The Northern Irishman will tee off at the Austin Country Club on Thursday for this week’s WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, in what will be his final appearance ahead of Augusta.
McIlroy failed to make the cut at the PLAYERS Championship a fortnight ago but managed top-1o finishes at the WGC-Mexico Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
