Rory McIlroy's former agent poses question that Masters champion will hate
Rory McIlroy's former agent poses question that Masters champion will hate
Sam FrostThu, July 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM UTC
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Rory McIlroy's former agent has made an interesting claim about the six-time major champion's abilities -Credit:Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy's former agent, Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, has questioned whether Rory McIlroy has become a "one-course pony" after his lean run since winning the Masters for a second time.
Chandler managed McIlroy as he was making his way in the pro ranks before parting ways in 2011, but the gregarious agent has kept a close eye on the Northern Irishman's career since.
His former client completed the career Grand Slam by slipping on the Green Jacket in 2025, and McIlroy successfully defended his title in April, becoming a six-time major champion. Through it all, Chandler has never been shy in commenting on McIlroy's life and career.
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McIlroy has exorcised the demons that haunted him for more than a decade at Augusta National after blowing a commanding 54-hole lead in 2011, and has mastered its nuances.
But the 37-year-old has had a lean run at the other majors since. He finished T7 at the PGA Championship in May, a decent result by most players' standards, but it was an underwhelming performance after putting himself in contention heading into the final round.
The U.S. Open last month was a similar story, shooting himself in the foot over the weekend after working his way into the hunt at Shinnecock Hills.
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Chandler oversaw the early years of McIlroy's pro career -Credit:Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
McIlroy has cracked the code of Augusta National, but Chandler believes his game is not translating as well elsewhere.
"Augusta is tailor-made for Rory McIlroy," he told BetVictor. "When he went there and led and blew up on that back nine in 2011 when I was managing him, it really wasn’t a surprise because he had the ball striking for Augusta. If he had more experience then, he would have won by four or five that year.
"One thing I don't understand is that he struggles when there's a bit of wind and the greens are firm. I don't understand that because you get that at Augusta.
"At the U.S. Open, his wedge play was hopeless in places. Yet he's quite a good wedge player. It didn't tally with what was going on. What you were watching was odd because you know he's a good wedge player."
Chandler continued: “It begs the question, is he a one-course pony?" It is a comment McIlroy will not take kindly to; he has prided himself on diversifying his skills and giving himself chances to win across a variety of conditions.
But Chandler does believe his former boss does have more major wins in the locker. He said: “I’d be surprised if he doesn’t win a major somewhere. If the greens are soft, he can win more majors. His chipping has also gone off. That’s what happens when you win.
“He dropped off after he won the career slam but that’s no surprise. When you’ve had that as your focus for five years, it’s going to be more difficult to get up after that.”
McIlroy will vie to prove Chandler wrong about the "one-course pony" jab when he tees it up in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next week.
Source: “AOL Sports”
