Rory must conquer Augusta but JP is not the man to help

JP FITZGERALD has earnestly helped Rory McIlroy amass a small fortune (€200million and counting, according to the golfer’s own tweet) in his career, and claim the position of World No1 once upon a time.

He also possibly exceeded his job description last weekend during the Open when he issued the ‘F’ word into his employer’s ear in an effort to stir him into contention at a time when it appeared McIlroy was simply going through the motions at Royal Birkdale.

‘You’re Rory F***ing McIlroy!’ Fitzgerald is reported to have reminded his boss. McIlroy duly upped his game and bravely fought to the very end, displaying plenty of his old majesty, as he chased down Jordan Speith without success.

Surely Rory McIlroy needs another voice for good. It looks as though Speith will beat him to a career Grand Slam – and gets his chance to do so first next month at the US PGA Championship in Quail Hollow, North Carolina. Meanwhile, McIlroy has to wait until next April and turn up with a more aggressive game, and attitude, in Augusta National and try to claim The Masters.

Augusta, of course, has not been a course which has smiled upon the Irishman. And it is going to take something incredible, something unforseen perhaps, for him to finally force the famous course to bend its knee to him.

A new man on his bag would probably help. Somebody who can challenge McIlroy afresh and, importantly, somebody who can draw up a whole new relationship between bagman and golfer before a ball is struck.

Fitzgerald, no doubt whatsoever, is one of the best caddies in the business, and there will be many outstanding players who would be keen on his services as they too seek to contend more consistently. McIlroy, however, is a different matter. He is in search of greatness, and a supreme place in the world of golf, right up there with Nicklaus, Woods, Palmer and Co. First of all he has to try to stop Speith beating him to another major and nailing that Grand Slam before him. Winning in Quail Hollow, where McIlroy has triumphed before, would do that. But, to be certain of staying ahead of the brilliant 24year-old, he will need to get to grips with Augusta National. And that is something he does not look like he can do on his own. Or something, unfortunately, he appears capable of achieving with his friend and most trustworthy employee, JP Fitzgerald.