Rory McIlroy gained the newest of his 4 main titles on the 2014 PGA Championship however will probably be among the many favorites for The Masters; obtain and subscribe to the newest Sky Sports activities Golf podcast with the vodcast version on Sky Sports activities On Demand
18:17 UK Tuesday 16 January 2024
Rory McIlroy has confirmed a unique strategy to his schedule forward of the 2024 Masters, however will it’s sufficient to finish his main drought and full his elusive Grand Slam profession?
The reigning Race to Dubai champion stated Golf Digest earlier than ending runner-up on the Dubai Invitational final week, that his look at Augusta Nationwide could be his “ninth or 10th begin” of the yr, a rise from his typical variety of begins earlier than the yr’s opening main.
McIlroy missed out final yr however has had seven top-10s on the Masters, together with a runner-up end in 2022, whereas Sky Sports activities Golf’s Robert Lee believes a late arrival at Augusta may increase his possibilities of to safe his Inexperienced Jacket and turn out to be solely the sixth Grand Slam Winner within the trendy period.
“After all of the years he is been right here, he is looking for one of the simplest ways to get to The Masters in high type,” Lee informed the Sky Sports activities Golf podcast. “That is the one match that dominates his life as a result of he will be the sixth man to have a profession Grand Slam.
“They only should win the match that is greatest for them. It is the one occasion within the 4 majors you’d say the place, if you happen to have been to AI design a match for McIlroy – together with his ability set – you’d construct the Masters.
Relive Rory McIlroy’s two victories in 2023 that noticed him declare his fifth Race to Dubai title, plus his starring position in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph.
“All you need to do to win the Masters is fly in on Tuesday evening, keep away from the noise, play a apply spherical on Wednesday – when you might have the closest course to match situation – and go on Thursday.
“If you get there on Sunday, the speak is about how McIlroy has by no means gained a profession Grand Slam. He is the one participant in your entire subject that goes by way of it yearly, so he is bought to discover a solution to eradicate this and that. is to not arrive till the final second.
“Rory is without doubt one of the greatest gamers on this planet and it has been an excellent time. In case you are the most effective gamers on this planet then you’ll give your self possibilities to win main competitions and it is just a matter of time earlier than you win extra, the numbers will inform you that.
“If you happen to maintain being there, then it is going to fall into your lap, so why cannot The Masters fall into his lap? They only should go on the market and play. .”
Confidence increase for ‘field workplace’ McIlroy?
McIlroy, who heads into the Hero Dubai Desert Basic because the defending champion and seeking to win the occasion for the fourth time, had the prospect to begin 2024 on Sunday earlier than ending one shot behind Tommy Fleetwood.
Highlights from the ultimate spherical of the Dubai Invitational as Tommy Fleetwood snatched a dramatic victory from beneath Rory McIlroy’s nostril.
“It’s totally arduous to win,” Lee added. “Typically individuals do not respect that and I believe Rory is a simple goal to beat. Everybody says “oh he ought to do that, he ought to try this, he ought to have 10 majors by now” however what we must always actually be doing is simply celebrating what he’s.
“It is the largest roller-coaster experience within the sport of golf and that is why it is field workplace. That is why you are watching McIlroy, not understanding if he will flip in 29 or hit the three water and make a full. mess, or one thing in between.
Rory McIlroy made essential errors throughout his last spherical on the Dubai Invitational, the place Tommy Fleetwood snatched victory on the 18th gap.
“Rory, when he is on display, you need to watch him. He is a thrill to observe due to the X-factor, which might be larger than anybody else within the sport, and the vulnerability that exists at instances. If you happen to’re a golf watcher, it is an unique combine and McIlroy is the large ticket.
“When he finishes second by one stroke as a result of he one-putted within the water on the final, four-putted a gap and three-putted from two toes, you take a look at it and assume that is a whole lot of slack. If these few issues have been tightened up. there, then he is bought a number of higher photographs, so I believe Rory can come into the subsequent few weeks with a whole lot of confidence.”
Tommy Fleetwood took house the prize on the Dubai Invitational after Rory McIlroy birdied the 18th and his European team-mate’s birdie noticed him steal victory.
The newest Sky Sports activities Golf podcast sees Robert Lee and Guardian journalist Ewan Murray be a part of common host Josh Antmann to speak in regards to the Dubai Invitational, the Sony Open, Keith Pelley’s impending departure from the DP World Tour and their predictions for 2024.
Obtain and take heed to the newest Sky Sports activities Golf podcast and remember to subscribe by way of Spotify, Spreaker or Apple Podcasts! If you need to contact the podcast then you may electronic mail golf@skysports.com.
Watch Rory McIlroy in motion all through 2024 reside on Sky Sports activities. McIlroy is subsequent in motion on the Hero Dubai Desert Basic, reside on Thursday from three.30 on Sky Sports activities Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and extra NOW.