History seems to be on Rory’s McIlroy’s side as he attempts to become the first Irishman to win the Masters.
McIlroy will play the final round in the company of 2009 Augusta winner Angel Cabrera, and with the pair to tee-up at 2pm local time.
Recent history suggests McIlroy should be wearing the green jacket.
And with the exception of one year over the past 20 years, the winner of the Masters has come from the last group.
That exception was American Zach Johnson in 2007.’
Should McIlroy win he will also become the first European since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 to win the Masters.
And if McIlroy wins it gives the European Tour a ‘Grand Slam’ with the Tour holding all four Major titles at the one time – Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open), Louis Oosthuizen (2010 British Open, Martin Kaymer (2010 US PGA) and McIlroy (2011 Masters).
McIlroy’s four stroke lead into the last day is the biggest since Tiger Woods led by nine in 1997 en route to his 12-shot victory.
Woods starts today’s last round seven shots behind McIlroy with the comfort for the Holywood player that Woods has never won either of his 14 Majors coming from behind.
McIlroy’s biggest threat would seem to come from the big-hitting Cabrera.
In 2009, he added the Masters to his 2007 U.S. Open title and, while he mentioned earlier in the week he wasn’t playing all that well, it will be that experience the man from Cordoba will drawn upon this afternoon.
“Experience and confidence will be the key,” he said.
“I’m playing my 12th Masters and I’ve won here before, it’s very special.
“At the end of the day it’s very important what I can do. The young kids are playing very well and they deserve it; Rory, Jason.
“But I have won the Masters, so that should help me a lot.”
Cabrera was side-lined from August to December last year on doctor’s orders to heal the tendinitis in his left wrist.
He took advantage of the time away from competition to have 10 teeth implanted, and has another appointment with the dentist tomorrow.
McIlroy will be looking to make sure Cabrera spends a lengthy time in the chair.
Bernie McGuire at Augusta National.
