Rory McIlroy's coach Michael Bannon to go full-time
- Published
Rory McIlroy was eight years old when he was first coached by Michael Bannon
Rory McIlroy's coach Michael Bannon is to leave his job at Bangor Golf Club to work full-time with the defending US Open champion.
Bannon had been combining the McIlroy role with his position as PGA professional at the County Down club.
Bangor members were told about Bannon's departure on Thursday and he is expected to take up his full-time role with the world number two in October.
Last December Bannon was honoured with a major European coaching accolade.
He became the inaugural winner of the PGA's of Europe's John Jacobs Coach of the Year award
McIlroy, from Holywood, was just eight years old when he was first coached by Bannon and the pair have continued to have a close relationship.
Bannon was recently in the United States helping McIlroy prepare for his defence of the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.