The Scotsman

Walk of pain /Rememberin­g Doug Sanders. who has died, aged 86

- By MARVIN COLLINS

Rory Mcilroy believes the reschedule­d Masters in November will have a different feel but could also aid his bid to complete the career grand slam.

The coronaviru­s pandemic has impacted sport across the globe and has had serious implicatio­ns in golf, affecting the calendars on both the European Tour and PGA Tour.

Eleven European Tour events have now been called off in addition to the Open being cancelled, while the other three majors have been reschedule­d for the second half of the year.

The Masters, which should have concluded on Easter Sunday, is the only major that Mcilroy, inset, has yet to win in his career and the Northern Irishman is hoping the dynamics of the 12-15 November slot can inspire a maiden victory at Augusta.

Speaking to Michelle Wie on an Instagram Live with Nike Golf, Mcilroy said: “The Masters means so much. Obviously it’s the last major for me to win but putting that aside, it is such a special place, so many great memories already.

“Any time you get to play at Augusta is a lot of fun.

“November is going to be different, very cold, the course could play very long. It plays long already but it can play very long.thegreensm­aynotbe as fast as in April depending on the moisture.

“I think it will be a different feel, it’s at the back end of the year. Two of the majors have already been played, hopefully the Ryder Cup’s already been played. People will be in their routine and in the flow a little bit more.

“I always feel there’s this bit of anticipati­on going into Augusta, the first big event of the year. There’s all this hype.

“I don’t think it will feel like that this year, it will feel different but it’s something I’m looking forward to.

“It’s going to be a different Masters this year but personally, maybe selfishly, that’s what I need to get the jacket.”

 ??  ?? 0 Doug Sanders, right, whose missed putt at the 72nd hole cost him the Open, with eventual winner Jack Nicklaus during their play-off in 1970.
0 Doug Sanders, right, whose missed putt at the 72nd hole cost him the Open, with eventual winner Jack Nicklaus during their play-off in 1970.
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