Rory McIlroy capable of ‘special’ Masters victory, says Butch Harmon

Tournament at Augusta is the only major to evade the Northern Irishman so far

Bella Butler
Wednesday 11 November 2020 15:34 GMT
Comments
Jon Rahm skips ball across pond in amazing hole-in-one

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Former professional golfer Butch Harmon believes Rory McIlroy could be a sleeper favourite at this year’s Masters, which starts on Thursday.

McIlroy was close to wearing the prestigious Green Jacket at Augusta back in 2011 when he entered Sunday’s final round with a four-shot lead, but it was not meant to be as he dropped six shots in three holes on the back nine, including a triple bogey on 10, which finished his run at that year’s Masters.

But since then the Northern Irishman has won every other major, including two wins at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy’s best finish at the Masters was in 2015 when he placed fourth, and Harmon believes that the 31-year-old is finally ready to end his bad luck at Augusta this year as he enters the tournament under the radar.

Speaking to Sportsmail, Harmon said: “If he can clean up the mental mistakes, I think Rory will have a good chance to win and it would be really special, because it is the one he hasn’t won.

“You would think it is only a matter of time until he completes the Grand Slam, he is too good not to.

“He is one of the best players the game has had in the last 10 to 12 years.”

McIlroy will be up against some big contenders, including Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, and is in decent form following a tied-17th finish at the ZOZO Championship, a tied-21st at the CJ Cup and tied-eighth place at the US Open.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in