Todd Anderson Instructional: How to hit a 2-iron stinger like Rory McIlroy

In this tutorial, Anderson breaks down Rory McIlroy’s 2-iron "stinger" which the Northern Irishman produced on the final hole of the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open which set him up for a one-stroke victory.

In this tutorial, Anderson breaks down Rory McIlroy’s 2-iron "stinger" which the Northern Irishman produced on the final hole of the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open which set him up for a one-stroke victory.

Rory McIlroy plays his second shot on the 18th hole during Day Four of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 16, 2023 in the United Kingdom. [GETTY IMAGES]

Introduction

At the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy hit a wonderful "stinger" on the 18th hole to set up his winning birdie putt at the Renaissance Club. As he was playing into a headwind from just over 200 yards, he took more club for his approach shot. He initially thought about hitting a 4-iron but picked out his 2-iron instead. Let’s break down this golf shot.

Grip Down

Photo 1. Todd Anderson's instructional photo [PGA TOUR]

To hit this shot, you’re going to grip down on the club slightly (Photo 1), just as Rory did. You’ll notice that he is also standing a little closer to the ball (Photo 2).

Photo 2. Todd Anderson's instructional photo [PGA TOUR]

Swing Thoughts

Photo 3. Todd Anderson's instructional photo [PGA TOUR]

One of the key points for this shot is to make a three-quarter back swing (Photo 3). As you come through the ball, you're going to keep your chest over the ball (Photo 4), keep your hands in front of the clubhead, keep the club head low through impact and kind of chase the club through impact with your right side (Photo 5) with an abbreviated finish (Photo 6). This should allow you to keep the ball below the wind and chase it up onto the green.

Photo 4. Todd Anderson's instructional photo [PGA TOUR]

Because Rory took more club, he didn’t try to hit the ball hard. He focused on controlling the speed, trapping the ball (Top photo) and hitting it underneath the wind. A lot of people try to hit the ball low by delofting the club with a steep angle of attack, but hitting down too much causes the ball to go higher.

Photo 5. Todd Anderson's instructional photo [PGA TOUR]

Conclusion

Photo 6. Todd Anderson's instructional photo [PGA TOUR]

In summary, the key for a ‘stinger’ is get close to the ball, grip down on the club, make a three-quarter backswing, keep your chest over the ball and get your right side to stay low and chase through the ball with an abbreviated finish.

This is a great shot to have in your bag when you're playing links golf, or when you’re faced with a strong headwind as you want to keep the ball low. Give this golf shot a try the next time you’re faced with such playing conditions.

Todd Anderson is the Director of Instruction at the PGA Tour Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship. The 2010 National PGA Teacher of the Year has seen his students amass more than 50 victories across the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, including two FedExCup titles. He is currently rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 20 golf instructors in the United States.

BY TODD ANDERSON [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]