Four-time Augusta National champion Arnold Palmer confidently expects to be welcoming Rory McIlroy to next year’s former Masters Champions dinner.
With just five weeks remaining to the season’s first Major and already the focus is turning more and more to McIlroy as he seeks to become a sixth player to have won the coveted Grand Slam.
A very frail looking Palmer was present at Trump International Doral and for this week’s WGC – Cadillac Championship at Trump International Doral and the first big showdown in golf’s new season, as guest of Donald Trump to cut a ribbon to a luxury villa named after ‘The King’.
Arnold Palmer after officially opening of the ‘Arnold Palmer Suites’ at Trump International Doral says Rory McIlroy will win the Masters.(Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It is one of 10 named after some of the greats of the game and with Trump remarking in his speech singling out McIlroy in the hope one day further villas will be named after a newer generation of great golfers.
Palmer and Trump cut the ceremonial ribbon and with the now 85-year old full of expectations for McIlroy.
“Rory’s really played well and what he’s accomplished in his career at age only 25 is truly amazing,” said Palmer.
“He’s a nice young man and a godsend to the game of golf.
“Of course, you know what I think about Augusta and having Rory and all these good young players in the game now being present this year at the Masters is something I am really looking forward to.
“But then I can’t seen any reason why Rory can’t win the Masters this year and if he doesn’t win this year then there’s no doubt in my mind at all the day will come when he will be hosting the Champions Dinner.”
McIlroy is returning to competition in this week’s $9.25m 74-player no cut event after having missed the cut in last week’s Honda Classic but then buoyed in capturing Monday’s Pro-Member event at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach and some 90 minutes drive north of Miami.
However back to competition also meant back to tackling questions on the Masters but then McIlroy is taking it all in his stride.
“I don’t feel any more anticipation this year going to Augusta than I did last year,” he said.
“I’m really focused on the next couple of weeks that I’m playing and I will try and play well here and at Bay Hill, and then after that, all I’ll be working on is getting ready for Augusta.”
McIlroy’s Masters preparations will include taking his father and two unnamed friends to Augusta for two days of practice in the fortnight he will have off after competing next fortnight at Bay Hill.
Nick Price also declaring Rory McIlroy will capture the Masters.
And Zimbabwean great Nick Price, who went to the 1995 Masters having won the closing two Majors of 1994 and also as World No. 1, is another predicting McIlroy success at the ‘Cathedral in the Pines’.
since the World Rankings commenced at the 1986 Masters it has only been Price and Tiger Woods on two occasions in 2001 and 2006 who have driven down Magnolia Lane as World No. 1 looking to also win the Masters.
“Rory going to Augusta this years is a totally different kettle of fish compared to when I went there in ’95,” said Price.
“He hits the ball perfectly for Augusta and he’s on a mission to be honest. I love watching him play because he’s got that bounce in his stride and he always looks upbeat.
“So he’s going to be a huge factor at Augusta this year and he can handle the pressure. He’s won three Majors already and that golf course is right up his alley. In fact, I haven’t seen a golf course that’s been built that isn’t up his alley.
“And Rory at present reminds me so much like Tiger in 2000 as he drives the ball as far as anyone I’ve seen. He’s a wonderful player.”
Joining McIlroy is fellow Irish Graeme McDowel and Shane Lowry, and with Lowry having secured a start in the Arnold Palmer Invitational by virture of his top-50 world ranking.
