It seems apparently obvious that Rory McIlroy is still carrying the emotional scars of last year’s Masters meltdown.
How else do you explain one of the pre-Augusta National favourites posting a third round 77 when heading into day three in such a commanding position.
Many former champions, including Mark O’Meara, Fred Couples, Mike Weir and three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, were each quizzed in the lead-up to this year’s first Major on McIlroy’s mental make-up this week.
Given he seemingly put those Augusta demons to sleep with success at Congressional in the very next Major each agreed McIlroy would motor down Magnolia Lane without any excess luggage.
Well two double bogeys in three rounds at Augusta’s first along with a double on Saturday at the seventh hole plus eight bogeys over the three rounds suggests the Georgia golfing gem still has the upper hand on McIlroy.
“It seems like every year I come here I throw a bad nine holes out there,” said McIlroy ahead of the final round.
“Going out in 42 wasn’t a great effort. But the good thing is it wasn’t on the last day.
“I can go out there today, try and shoot a good score, try and finish well, get a top 10 or a top 5 or whatever if I can shoot a really good one and at least leave here in a positive frame of mind.”
McIlroy tees off at ‘high noon’ Easter Sunday back in a share of 27th place 10 shots behind Sweden’s Peter Hanson.
The curly haired Northern Irishman is going to have to wait another year to be the pride of the Easter parade.
Meantime –
Top UK bookmakers William Hill were breathing a sigh of relief after Mcllroy’s efforts this week.
Prior to the start of the Masters, William Hill took a view that Mcllroy would have unhappy memories and pushed his price out to 9/1 from 6/1, in the process laying him for over £1m.
At the half way stage it looked as if that was the wrong call but a disastrous third round has probably saved the seven figure payout.
Hills are 1/1 that he fails to win the Masters in the next five years although it is 8/11 that he does.
“There can be little doubt that Mcllroy will win many a major in his career but the Masters could well be his Achilles heel,” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.
However they are laying odd of 8/11 that McIlroy will win the Masters by end of 2017.
