Many eyes are on McIlroy today at Masters: Is this his year to win?
AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Masters is the only major Rory McIlroy hasn’t won.
A green jacket is all he needs to complete his career Grand Slam.
What makes this year feel different is McIlroy has never looked more equipped to claim a Masters green jacket that once looked inevitable. For the first time in his career, he has started the season with two wins before getting to Augusta National, beating two strong fields at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship.
All that did was crank up the expectations, which McIlroy is embracing.
“I went through my fair share of losses, criticism, expectations,” McIlroy said.
Not winning a major in 11 years was one thing. Even more startling was he had only four good chances, and there was one stretch of 10 straight majors when he did not finish closer than eight shots of the winner.
“You have to be willing to get your heart broken, and I think I went through a few years of my career where I wasn’t willing to put myself out there,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve figured it out.”
He went to Augusta National before going to the Houston Open for his final start. He stopped by Augusta again on his way home from Houston. This feels like his best chance, also because the two players who outperformed him last year are coming off injuries.
Many patrons at the Masters told us they believe this is his year to do it. And that seems to be the sentiment on the course during the final round.
The three Honorary Starters – Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson – all said at a news conference Thursday morning they believe it’s McIlroy’s year to win.
“We were talking and I said, ‘Rory ... I know you prepared for Augusta; tell me how you’re going to play the golf course,’ and we went through it shot for shot and we got done, we got done with the round. I didn’t open my mouth. I said, ‘Well, I wouldn’t change a thing,’” Nicklaus said.
That’s a powerful endorsement from the man who completed the career Grand Slam not once or twice, but three times.
Player also has the Grand Slam, and says he believes it’s McIlroy’s time to this exclusive club.
“He has the best swing in golf – without question,” Player said.
Watson said: “I just have a gut feeling that Rory’s the guy that’s gonna win this week.”
Many patrons believe it’s his time.
“It’s all about his demeanor. He’s in a different place right now. I cannot imagine him not winning,” one patron said.
Even before he teed off, we caught up with patrons watching him prepare and hoping to see him make history.
And a sea of patrons followed McIlroy to the first tee to watch him begin what many believe could be his best week ever in Augusta.
“Obviously, being a longer hitter on tour, he’s going to be able to take advantage – getting in wedges in a lot of these holes,” another patron said. “If he can clean up around the green, he should be in good shape.”
Patron King Solomon said: “It would be good for golf to see people become that proficient that can say, ‘I have all four of them on my resume like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. That’s pretty special there.”
Nicklaus did it Scottie Scheffler would give McIlroy a run for his money.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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