Rory McIlroy’s quiet pause over the putt

SportLocation Golf Desk · 4 Oct 2026

Rory McIlroy is shown addressing a ball on the green, putter set behind it before the stroke.

Rory McIlroy’s putting routine, in this brief view, centres on the still moment before the stroke. He settles over the ball with the putter behind it, while the green leaves the line ahead clearly visible.

There is no need to dress the moment up: it is an address position, not evidence of what followed. The detail to watch is the careful set-up, with the clubhead placed close behind the ball before he plays.