McIlroy can become a ‘legend’ with Masters win
RORY McILROY has been warned not to expect any miracles as he attempts to win the Masters and become a “legend” of the game.
McIlroy needs a victory at Augusta National to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in having claimed all four major titles, but is without a win since November 2019 and has slipped to 12th in the world rankings.
The 31-year-old has recently started consulting renowned coach Pete Cowen on a formal basis after making the startling admission that he had damaged his swing by trying to add more length to his game, partly influenced by Bryson DeChambeau’s victory in last year’s US Open.
But Cowen is not promising any quick fixes after McIlroy shot 79, 75 to miss the cut in defence of his Players Championship title and was thrashed 6&5 by Ian Poulter in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
“It’s a seventh attempt at the grand slam, it’s a massive story,” three-time European Tour winner and Sky Sports Golf expert Nick Dougherty said.
“Rory, with four majors, is world class, one of the greats of the modern-day game. Fifty years from now he wouldn’t be a legend. If he gets on that list, he’s a legend and we’ll be talking about his name way beyond our lifetimes.
“I think his biggest asset this year is that the burden of expectation is far less. I spoke to Pete Cowen about this and he did say don’t expect any miracles, so it’s an ongoing process.
“There’s no magic powder that’s been sprinkled on top of his golf ball to go to Augusta National.
“But he’s going in there under the radar with a little something and optimistic about the future and the reason Rory’s going to get back is because they have a long-term plan.”