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Home » US Masters 2023: Can Rory McIlroy end his Augusta duck?

US Masters 2023: Can Rory McIlroy end his Augusta duck?

Rory McIlroy

It would be fair to say that four-time major winner Rory McIlroy has enjoyed a superb career in golf, but he still has one glaring omission on his CV. Can McIlroy end his Augusta duck?

The 33-year-old has never won the US Masters Tournament at Augusta National and will be eager to break his duck this time around.

McIlroy came close last year, producing a stirring final day comeback before finishing three shots adrift of Scottie Scheffler.

The Northern Irish star started the fourth round 10 shots behind Scheffler, but produced a superb round of 64 to finish just three shots off top spot.

McIlroy’s overall record at the Masters is fairly positive, with seven top 10 finishes in 14 appearances suggesting he is a potential future winner.

The bookmakers clearly agree, with the Masters odds listing McIlroy as the 7/1 favourite to finish on top of the pile this year.

McIlroy has bounced back to form with a vengeance over the past couple of years to demonstrate that he remains one of the top players in the world.

He won four majors between 2011 and 2014, sparking talk that he could eventually overhaul golfing legend Jack Nicklaus at the top of the standings.

Inconsistency blighted McIlroy in subsequent years, particularly when it came to his performances in the biggest tournaments.

However, his comeback at the 2022 Masters demonstrated that McIlroy still had the talent to be a dominant force in golf over the next few years.

Becoming a parent in 2020 was a defining moment for McIlroy, helping him become a more rounded and thoughtful individual.

His outspoken stance on the breakaway LIV Golf tour was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air in a sport where morals appeared to be going out of the window.

McIlroy has not been afraid to express his thoughts on LIV Golf leader Greg Norman, and has repeatedly exposed the Australian’s motives for splitting golf.

The launch of the LIV Golf circus has sparked many of the PGA Tour’s top performers to up their game, while many of the up-and-coming players have also stepped things up.

This new-found competitive culture has lit a flame in McIlroy and it would be no surprise to see him use this as the inspiration for a maiden Masters victory.

In-form Jon Rahm will likely provide McIlroy with plenty to think about during the tournament, while Scheffler will fancy his chances of retaining the title.

LIV Golf rebel Dustin Johnson should also be competitive given that he has regularly produced his best form at the Masters.

He has been in fine form in LIV Golf tournaments and will be keen to make a statement when he goes head-head with the best players on the PGA Tour.

Despite this, McIlroy’s form over the past couple of years suggests he could be a tough nut to crack at the 2023 Masters.

Claiming his first Green Jacket would be the perfect way for McIlroy to cement his status as one of golf’s greatest-ever players and it would be a brave move to back against him achieving the feat.