AUGUSTA | Rory McIlroy isn’t the most talented of chefs when he arrives in Augusta. Having all the ingredients to win, he is unable to raise the damn cake on the holy ground of Augusta National. A place where he has been looking to win since 2009.
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The Northern Irishman is still looking to end his Grand Slam dry spell, having been out of the winner’s circle since the PGA Championship of America in August 2014.
A crossing of the desert that has lasted for a little over eight years. Since the start of the 2015 season, McIlroy has finished in the top 10–15 of the 29 major tournaments he has appeared in.
The number of top 5s? Nine.
This number includes the four in the Masters Tournament.
We remember his defeat on the return to the final round of the 2011 edition. Then aged 21, the young McIlroy had dominated the board for 63 holes. A disastrous final card of 80 (+8), had tumbled to 15th place.
Augusta’s Demons
He has since sought to avenge this poor performance at Augusta. In 2018, he was neck and neck with leader Patrick Reed before giving up and finishing fifth. And last year, a superb comeback in a blowout final round propelled him to second place. However, he did not threaten the champion Scottie Scheffler who was in control.
So when will McIlroy manage to complete the Grand Slam by donning the green jacket? This has been the narrative framework since 2015 at Augusta.
“It’s as if I had all the ingredients to make the pie, illustrated McIlroy by slipping into the skin of a chef for a moment. But I have to put all these ingredients in the dish, adjust the crazy to the right temperature and let it all rise.
“I know I have everything I need, continued the golfer with 23 professional titles on the PGA Tour. I just have to manage to put everything together to succeed.”
There, he was no longer talking about cooking, but about golf. Because he wants to put an end to this scarcity this year. He landed in Augusta with a win and three top 10s in his six outings this season.
Tiger Woods believes in it
His good friend Tiger Woods advocates patience, he who knows this course like the back of his hand. The man in the five green jackets knows that Rory’s clock will strike sooner or later.
“It’s a question of time. Rory has the time, the game and the tools to win here. Several elements must click to win on this course. Several things have to fall into place at the right times.
“Rory has shown over his presence that he has learned to play the Augusta National, chained the golfer who is participating in his 25th Masters this week. You have to understand how to deal with it.
“Whether it’s this year or during these next participations, Rory will finally manage to finish the job and complete his Grand Slam. It remains to know the moment, because his turn will come.
Fierce Exit
McIlroy has been battling with his Augusta demons for over 10 years. According to him, everything is played between the two ears. “You have to know how to control the mental aspect of the game and the emotions more than the physical qualities. I have these qualities and I present myself in a good state of mind. You have to be to let the physical skills shine.”
The winner of four major career titles will change his strategy this week. Rather than opting for conservative play and waiting for good opportunities, he will try to press the accelerator in the first round.
“Sometimes bad nine holes took me out of the tournament,” he explained. Since 2015, he has played under par in 11 of his 16 rounds before the ax, including just twice under 70.
During the same streak, he only appeared in the top 10 in the first two rounds twice, in 2016 and 2018.
More aggressive play and good control of his emotions may lead him to put on the green jacket.
This Sunday? Everything must fall into place.
