“Rory gets caught up in just playing golf” - Jack Nicklaus says Rory McIlroy's ‘too relaxed’ approach a problem for majors

Rory McIlroy is undoubtedly one of the best golfers in the world right now. He's currently going back and forth with Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm for the top spot in OWGR's rankings. While the 33-year-old is currently playing some of the best golf of his career, he hasn't won a major since 2014.

Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus believes McIlroy might be too relaxed for his own good. On Nick Faldo's podcast, Sir Nick’s Round Table Chats, Nicklaus said (via The Straits Times):

"He’s got the best rhythm in the game. He uses his body better than anybody else. I love his attitude. But I don’t think Rory – he has (trouble) keeping his focus for some reason. I don’t know what it is."

Upon being asked to explain his thought process, Nicklaus said:

"Well, I look at Augusta. Everybody knows Augusta pretty much.There’s about six shots at Augusta that you better pay attention to: your tee shot at 2, your second shot on 11, tee shot at 12, your tee shot at 13, and the second shot at 13, and the (second) shot at 15."

"Those six shots, if you’ve played those shots smart, play them intelligently and put them in the conservative side of the ledger, the rest of the golf course is not very hard."

Nicklaus believes McIlroy gets caught up in "just playing golf" and isn't focused enough on winning every point. He added:

“And so Rory, sometimes, gets caught up in just playing golf and all of a sudden: Where did that eight come from? And he’s too good for that. He’s too good... a player. And maybe he tries to keep himself too relaxed. I was never relaxed. I always wanted to be on point, every shot. I think you did, too.”

Nick Faldo agreed with Nicklaus' assessment. The 65-year-old said:

“When these kids say they’re going to go out and have fun tomorrow, how the hell do you have fun playing golf? Everything’s a challenge and you’ve enjoyed the challenge at the end of the day.”

Rory McIlroy was runner-up in the Masters in 2022, but hasn't finished atop a major leaderboard since 2014, when he won the PGA Championship and the Open Championship.

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Will Rory McIlroy get back to the World No. 1 spot soon?

Rory McIlroy began the season as the world's number one golfer. He assumed that position late last year after supplanting Scottie Scheffler. Just a couple of months into the year, McIlroy has fallen to third overall.

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy

Scheffler initially took back the top spot from McIlroy, before Jon Rahm, who is enjoying the form of his life, climbed to the top spot. The lead is likely to continue changing hands between the three top golfers frequently throughout the year.