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McIlroy learns from Nicklaus

Northern Irishman learns much from 90-minute one-to-one

Last updated: 9th March 2010

McIlroy: One-on-one with Nicklaus

One of the biggest things I took from it was patience. Just learn to wait and learn to bide your time and know that if you believe in yourself it will happen

Rory McIlroy
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Rory McIlroy is hoping a lunchtime talk with Jack Nicklaus will help him go on to achieve his golfing dreams.

The Northern Irishman sat down with American Nicklaus for a 90-minute one-to-one talk during the Honda Classic in Florida last week.

Speaking ahead of the start of the CA Championship on Thursday, McIlroy admitted that the conversation with the 18-time Major winner had helped him understand that he did not need to play at his best to win events.

The 20-year-old - who has begun working with American sports psychologist Bob Rotella - has so far triumphed in only the Dubai Desert Classic in 2009.

Winning approach

"It was an unbelievable experience," said McIlroy on his meeting with Nicklaus. "Jack's been the best at winning and was probably the most clinical of them all.

"It was great to sit down and talk with him and see his approach to winning, what went through his head whenever he was in contention and what things he might have done differently to other people.

"It was probably the best 90 minutes I've spent in a long time. He said the best ever tournament he played he didn't win - The Open in '77 (Tom Watson beat him) - and there were other times where he didn't play his best, but got the job done.

"One of the biggest things I took from it was patience. Just learn to wait and learn to bide your time and know that if you believe in yourself it will happen.

"He had a lot more majors handed to him than he went out and won."