MOST STRESSFUL WEEK OF MY YEAR
McIlroy reveals pressure of chasing Slam
RORY McILROY has admitted he finds the Masters the most stressful week in golf. Never shy of expressing an honest opinion, the Northern Irishman made it clear how important completing the cherished career Grand Slam has become. Asked for the first thought that comes to mind when he thinks about Augusta, he said: ‘Stressful. I am, ask anyone who knows me, a complete p**** in the week leading up to Augusta. But they understand and know that. It’s a stressful situation.’
At the age of only 27, McIlroy is already the only European to complete three legs of the Grand Slam but needs the Masters to become the sixth golferer — and only the second, after Tiger Woods, since the 1960s — to win all four majors.
He did not come close to completing it on his first two attempts inn 2015 and last year as the pressure took its toll but Sir Nick Faldo senses a different McIl-roy this year and backs him to complete what would be the greatest feat in European golf history.
‘He might be my favourite right now and I’m very bullish about his chances,’ said the threetime Masters champion. ‘He is in a great place mentally and he knows how to play and prepare for Augusta. When he first came here he didn’t hit his wedges close enough but I just watched him hit 12 of them and they all finished within 3ft or so of one another.’
McIlroy took last week off to practise but having a wedding to prepare for this month will presumably help take his mind off what’s at stake this week.
Ever since he first clapped eyes on Augusta, the theory has done the rounds that the place is made for his game. McIlroy thought so at first, as well. But the bald truth is that only once in eight appearances to date has he been in contention to win on a Sunday — the infamous meltdown in 2011 when he led by four with a round to play but collapsed on the back nine.
In an interview with Golf Digest, he admitted the biggest challenge he faces this week is mental.
‘I’ve been in position before and I haven’t got the job done when I needed to and I don’t think that’s anything to do with my game,’ he said. ‘I think that’s more me mentally and I’m trying to deal with the pressure of it and the thrill of the achievement if it were to happen. I think that’s the thing that’s really holding me back.’
That was certainly the case last year when he went into the weekend one shot off the lead. Paired with Jordan Spieth in the third round, McIlroy played tight golf and subsided to a 77.
The previous year he was reasonably satisfied with an opening 71, only for Spieth to go out in the afternoon and shoot 64. When the Texan added a 66 the next morning he was out of sight before Rory had a chance to get back out on the course.
Switching to aggressive mode over the weekend and delivering rounds of 68, 66 saw McIlroy rocket up to tied fourth, his best Masters finish to date.
McIlroy has made two reconnaissance trips to Augusta in the build-up to this event, one with his father Gerry. ‘I just think the more comfortable you can feel around Augusta the better,’ he explained.
‘For me that’s what it is all about. Going up for trips with my dad and friends and just messing around makes it feel way easier for me because I always associate Augusta with stressful situations and shots.’
The problem he’s got is that it’s only going to get more stressful the longer it goes without him completing the Slam.
Yesterday, McIlroy was given another reminder about why this is the time to strike, as he played with two gifted members of the next generation — 19-year- old Toto Gana from Chile and the US Amateur champion from Australia, Curtis Luck.
In every sense, therefore, the clock is ticking.