RORY MCILROY

When Rory McIlroy has won major championships he’s done it with a level of consistency from round-to-round that either blows the field away or keeps his nose just in front.

At Augusta, he is yet to find that level of consistency which will ultimately win him a green jacket and complete the career grand slam.

For example, his highest and lowest scores at Augusta came in the same tournament. He opened his account in 2011 with a 65 and ended it with an horrendous crash that led to an 80 on Sunday afternoon. Interestingly he’s only shot in the 60s on five occasions since.

McIlroy, as the World No.12, has every right to be featured among the contenders showcased here but his record at Augusta is pretty poor in comparison.

He has certainly underachieved at the Masters. But with the chance to join Jack Nicklaus, Gray Player, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods as a career grand-slammer with a win at Augusta, McIlroy has the chance to make history and finally bury the demons of that horrible collapse seven years ago.

WHY HE CAN WIN: Rory excels at every attribute required to win at Augusta. From the tee, he’s powerful with a high ball-flight. This brings all the par-5s into close range. His iron play is phenomenal and around the greens he has the touch of a master. Perhaps the only question mark that hovers over Rory is his ability on the slick putting surfaces.