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• Rory McIlroy’s putting guru gets PGA status downgraded
• Phil Kenyon is coach to seven of 2016 European Ryder Cup team
• Ian Poulter among those who backed the go-to specialist

RORY MCILROY | PHIL KENYON

Phil Kenyon, the putting coach who helped fire Rory McIlroy to FedEx Cup glory, has had his status downgraded by The PGA.

Kenyon, director of Swash Putting Ltd – a school of excellence set-up by Harold Swash – is considered the go-to putting specialist on the European Tour and coaches seven of the 12 players who represented Team Europe at the Ryder Cup.

But, it seems a stellar 2016 on his resume, which also included an Open Championship win for Henrik Stenson and an Olympic gold medal for Justin Rose, wasn’t good enough for The PGA’s points system – and he took to Twitter to share his dismay.

Read more -> ‘Putting pressure if off’, says Rory McIlroy

He quickly received support from players and coaches, including Ian Poulter, Robert Rock and Denis Pugh.

According to the ‘Guide to Understanding the Structure of PGA Membership & PGA Member Education’, in order to avoid being downgraded from class ‘AA’ status, PGA members must amass 100 points from member education activities over a rolling three-year period, refreshing on October 1 every year.

These include attending courses, getting additional qualifications and engaging in relevant professional development.

Read more -> Rory McIlroy slams ‘pathetic’ putting

2016 Ryder Cup - Previews

The document says that a failure to maintain the 100-point profile at all times will result in the loss of class ‘AA’ status, with members having to make up the number of points the following year in order to be upgraded again.

When contacted by bunkered.co.uk, The PGA said it didn’t respond to individual cases surrounding its members.

Rory McIlroy’s putting guru gets downgraded by The PGA

What are your thoughts on Phil Kenyon, coach to the likes of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose, having his status downgraded by The PGA? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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