Dave Helps Rory Take Stockton

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Rory McIlroy hasn't enjoyed the best 2013 so far, failing to make the cut in the British andIrish Opens and losing his position as the World's No 1.

So perhaps in a bid to reverse his recent run of form, McIlroy has gone for a severe haircut as he prepares to defend his US PGA title at Oak Hill.

While his baseball cap was covering the severity of his cut, Rory looked like he meant business on the practice round this afternoon.

After a decent start at the Bridgestone Invitational at the weekend, he fell away and eventually finished in 27th place.

One of his own backroom team,Dave Stockton said that the Holywood star will have to 'work' harder to get back to the top of his game.

As McIlroy spoke more in hope than confidence of defending his US PGA title at Oak Hill, Stockton – one of his closest and most knowledgeable advisors – explained how the most naturally gifted golfer of his generation lost his Midas touch.

Two-time PGA champion Stockton is McIlroy's putting coach but also played a significant part in helping the 24-year-old break out of a form slump this time last year.

Stockton (71) said: "I just don't think he has worked."

The highly respected veteran suggested that the head-spinning changes in the young star's life as he rocketed to World No 1 made it difficult to strike the right balance in his career and devote enough time to playing tournaments and practice.

Asked if he thought it was inevitable for McIlroy to come down from the stellar highs of last year, Stockton replied: "I don't think so. I think he is still learning what he wants in life. That's my take on it.

"He has a girlfriend and all these things going on. Things happen, so okay, how do you adjust? I think his is more of a time (management) thing.

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Rory Ready to Show Firestone

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Rory McIlroy is determined to start turning his season around at this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

The world No 3 described himself as "brain dead" at the Open Championship after erratic rounds of 75 and 79 left him on 12 over par, four shots outside the cut.

McIlroy has yet to win since making his controversial switch to Nike at the turn of the year, but he hopes spending time with friends at home and advice on his demeanour from putting coach Dave Stockton will lift his game in Ohio.

"I was sitting up here this time last year not feeling as if my game was in great shape," said McIlroy, who brushed aside a run of poor form to finish in a tie for fifth at Firestone last season.

"I'm sitting up here this year a lot more positive and that's a great sign. It's a course I feel I can do well on and if something similar can happen to last year, that would set up for the last major of the season and a great end of the year.

"It's been up and down (since the same time last year). I've had some great weeks and wins and had some very average ones as well. It's like everything, you are going to have ups and downs.

"My highs have been incredibly high and my lows have been pretty low so it's about trying to make it more on an even keel."

Stockton has reiterated his advice to McIlroy that he needs to smile more and have better body language on the course, even when things are not going well.

"I've always said it's easier to smile when you are making birdies," added McIlroy, who has been paired with Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker for the first two rounds.

"But the thing he said last year that I am trying to do again is that if someone is watching you from the outside, don't let them know whether you have made a birdie or a bogey.

"I've become a little too emotionally involved with my golf over the past few months and let it either get me excited or down where I should not get too high or too low."

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