Rory McIlroy Aims for Elusive Green Jacket at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy is gearing up for his 11th attempt to win the Masters, where he hopes to secure the elusive green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam. McIlroy, who has four major titles, is determined to break a decade-long major championship drought when he tees off on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club.

“It’s just narratives. It’s noise,” McIlroy said during a news conference on Tuesday. “I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year.” His focus comes as anticipation builds around the 89th Masters, particularly given his recent form, which includes two PGA Tour victories this season.

McIlroy last secured a major title at the 2014 PGA Championship, and he has struggled in his past attempts at Augusta, where his best finish came with a solo second-place showing in 2022. “I’ve had chances to win some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world, and it hasn’t quite happened,” McIlroy added, reflecting on the pressure he faces.

This year marks a pivotal moment for McIlroy, especially after finishing in the top 10 numerous times since 2015. Despite 21 top-10 finishes in majors, his experiences at Augusta have been particularly painful, with notable missed opportunities in 2011 and 2018.

The Northern Irishman’s approach this week involves blocking distractions and concentrating on executing his game plan. “I think once you go through those heartbreaks, you remember how it feels, and you wake up the next day and realize life goes on.”

Adding to the pressure, McIlroy’s playing partners for the first round will be Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and American Akshay Bhatia, but he maintains a strong resolve heading into the tournament.

“I want to do certain things and check the boxes in my preparation,” McIlroy noted, having completed practice rounds at Augusta in recent weeks. His competitive spirit remains undeterred by the expectations that surround his quest for a fifth major title.

In recent years, three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson weighed in on McIlroy’s chances, noting the advantage of his driving ability on the course. “You still have to execute; you still have to hit the shots,” Mickelson said.

McIlroy aims to harness his recent successes to overcome the psychological hurdles of past performances. After a strong start to 2023, he remains one of the favorites, trailing only defending champion Scottie Scheffler in betting odds for this week’s tournament.

The 35-year-old reflected on how lessons learned from setbacks have shaped his game. “You learn to roll with the punches,” McIlroy said, indicating his readiness to challenge for the title. He remains optimistic yet focused as he enters Augusta this week, determined to claim his first Masters win.

The Masters Tournament runs from April 10-13, with coverage of the event airing on ESPN and CBS.