We study the large xy anisotropy of magnetic excitations observed for YBa(2)Cu(3)O(y) with y = 6.45, 6.6, and 6.85. We show that the delicate interplay among the Pomeranchuk instability, superconductivity, and a lattice anisotropy plays an integral role to understand the observed anisotropy of magnetic excitations. The Pomeranchuk instability can be a key ingredient as an order competing with superconductivity in cuprates. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.