Rory McIlroy was headed for a fortnight’s break in Monaco looking to bury the frustration of yet another Masters disappointment.
The World No. 2 arrived at Augusta National buoyed by a second place finish in San Antonio but headed back down Magnolia Lane a far cry from the player who won the previous Major by eight shots.
McIlroy headed an indifferent showing among Europe’s elite golfers with victorious Ryder Cup colleagues Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Luke Donald also simply making up the numbers in the 77th Masters.
Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, also part of the ‘Miracle at Medinhah’ four-putted the fourth hole from 20-feet in a score of 71 to finish only just inside the top-40.
And while England’s David Lynn, who was runner-up to McIlroy in the last Major, did create first round excitement with his 68 he also faded from sight after posting a third round 80 in a five over tally.
McIlroy’s final round 69 was the first time he’d broken 70 all week but it did little to lift the 23-year’s old demeanor over the four days.
He walked from the course, again with shrugged shoulders and with mother, Rosie summing up the four days saying: “It hasn’t been a good week.”
But then in stark contrast to the likes of Westwood and Lawrie, McIlroy has a huge plus on his side – youth.
“I’m learning each and every year around here, and besides I,’ve still got plenty of more years to try and get one of those green jackets,” he said.
“Augusta is one of these golf courses where, when it’s like this unfortunately like you can shoot 65 in a heartbeat, but all of a sudden you go for a few shots and you’re staring double and triple bogey in the face.
“This golf course is just frustrating. It’s frustrating. It is what it is. I know I’ve played good enough golf here to win it at times, it’s just a matter of stringing it all together in one week.”
McIlroy’s driving was slightly better hitting 10 of 14 fairways while he missed only three greens in regulation.
“After second in San Antonio, I felt I came here with my ‘A’ game,” he said.
“It was tough conditions the first couple of days and I was in a good position going into the weekend.
“But I just didn’t quite have it all on Saturday and that really cost me.
“You have to be right on your game for 72 holes here and I played a little bad five hole stretch in 5‑over par which didn’t help.
“That was really it. I played nicely again today and I just limited the mistakes yesterday on that, in that round and I’m right there.
“So it’s just a matter of trying to string four good ones together at this place.”
After a fortnight’s break on the French Riviera McIloy will compete next in the May 2nd starting Wells Fargo Championship, and the scene of his first PGA Tour success in 2010.
