RORY ING BACK!
McIlroy is ready to be so Masterful
RORY McILROY insists he is in perfect shape to challenge for a maiden Masters win after ending an 18-month wait for victory.
The Northern Irishman shot a superb final-round 64 at Bay Hill on Sunday to claim the Arnold Palmer Invitational by three shots.
The 28-year-old struggled for form and fitness during a difficult 2017. But with Augusta less than three weeks away, McIlroy is hitting top form in time to land the only Major he has not won.
Discussing his morale-boosting win, McIlroy said: “It’s huge for my confidence going into the next few weeks.
“I kept saying I didn’t need a win going into Augusta to feel like I had a chance, I just wanted to see signs of good golf. But thankfully I’ve been able to get both here.”
McIlroy, who has risen from 13th to seventh in the rankings, seems settled after a hectic period in which he got married, moved house and changed equipment supplier and caddie.
He never doubted he could get back to his best, saying: “I’ve always believed in myself. I know me being 100 per cent healthy is good enough to not just win on the PGA Tour, but win a lot.
“I guess that’s what kept me going. I never lost belief. I know that I’ve got a gift for this game and I know that if I put the time in, I can make a lot of it.”
McIlroy finished on 18-under par after five birdies on his final six holes. That was enough to see off Bryson DeChambeau, who finished on 15 under.
Justin Rose (-14) and Henrik Stenson (-13) also impressed but it was another fine performance from Tiger Woods that commanded much of the attention.
The 14-time Major winner was in contention on the final day before finishing with a 69, tied for fifth.
Coming a week after his jointsecond at the Valspar Championship, it was another strong showing ahead of his first appearance at Augusta in three years.
Four-time Masters winner Woods, 42, said: “If you had told me at the beginning of the year I would have had a chance to win two golf tournaments, I would have taken that in a heartbeat.
“I’m starting to piece it together tournament by tournament and each tournament has got a little
crisper and a little bit better.”