Augusta, GA ….
Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn reckons there’s a ‘uniqueness’ about Rory McIlroy that makes him the Dane’s pick to finally win the Masters.
McIlroy tees-off later today in a 10th Masters and a fourth straight attempt to become only the sixth member to walk through the doors of golf’s ‘Grand Slam Club’.
Bjorn contested a dozen Masters from 1999 to 2015 and with a best finish of T8th in 2014.
This year though Europe’s captain is at Augusta National in a very relaxed ‘ambassadorial’ capacity ahead of September’s showdown in Versailles.
Bjorn could not be more happier than the efforts this past few months of Sweden’s Alex Noren, who lost a play-off for the Farmers Insurance Open and Paul Casey denying Tiger Woods in winning the Valspar Championship.
There was then the delight in McIlroy ending a long winless drought in soundly winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
And Ian Poulter made it three European-born wins in five PGA Tour events in capturing the Houston Open.
“It’s been a good month and I’m really pleased for the three of them,” said Bjorn.
“All craved a win for different reasons. Paul, for confirmation of what he’s working on, Rory to show he can putt on Sundays, that’s all he needed to get going again.
“Rory’s win at Bay Hill was amazing and he looked relaxed and free flowing. Nothing for a player beats that fresh feeling.
“A lot has been made of what Rory’s trying to achieve this week and it is tough when it’s a list with only five names on it.
“But this is the one I thought he’d win first, perfect golf course for him, surprised it’s the one he’s missing and that’s a good thing, because he will win it eventually.
“He should be on that Grand Slam list because he has that little uniqueness that makes him stand out from the rest.”
RORY MCILROY – MASTERS FACT FILE
Rory McIlroy – Age 28
First Masters – 2009 (T-20th)
Best finish – 4th (2015)
No of Masters – 9
Rounds played – 34
Scoring average – 71.82
Relation to par – 6-under
Rounds in the 60s – 8
Lowest score – 65 (Day one, 2011)
Highest score – 80 (Day four, 2011)
Round under par – 21
Rounds level par – 3
Rounds over par – 10
