The Masters: Tiger Woods backs Rory McIlroy for Augusta National victory to complete Grand Slam | Golf News

Rory McIlroy has received the PGA Championship twice, the US Open and The Open; McIlroy completed second on the Masters final 12 months however by no means received in 14 makes an attempt at Augusta Nationwide; Can he end the Grand Slam? Watch completely reside Thursdays from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf

Tiger Woods insists it is ‘solely a matter of time’ earlier than Rory McIlroy claims an elusive Masters victory and turns into the most recent participant to finish a profession Grand Slam.

McIlroy has completed within the high 10 in half of his 14 earlier appearances at Augusta Nationwide, with this 12 months’s occasion being his ninth try to hitch Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Participant, Jack Nicklaus and Woods after profitable all 4 main titles.

The world quantity 2 has already received the Dubai Desert Traditional this season and completed third on the WGC-Dell Applied sciences Match Play final month, with Woods backing Mcllroy to enhance on final 12 months’s runner-up towards Scottie Scheffler and compete at new to the opening main of the 12 months.

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Wealthy Beem offers his explanation why he thinks Rory McIlroy will probably be victorious at Augusta this 12 months

“He [McIlroy] will probably be [complete the career Grand Slam], it is solely a matter of time,” Woods mentioned in his pre-tournament press convention. “Rory has the expertise. He has the sport. He has all of the instruments to win right here. It is only a matter of time.

“Numerous issues should occur to win on this golf course. Numerous issues should go proper. I believe Rory has proven through the years that he is realized methods to play on this golf course and also you simply have to grasp methods to play it. play. .

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Rory McIlroy says he hopes he can stop the Masters alternative from getting the higher of him this 12 months, admitting it has affected his efficiency in earlier years

“He is been there. Final 12 months he had an awesome run, acquired into it. I believe it is only a matter of time, whether or not it is this 12 months or subsequent 12 months or when it occurs. , he’ll and he may have a Grand Slam profession. It is simply what a 12 months will probably be – it can undoubtedly occur.”

Can Woods battle on the Masters?

McIlroy claimed after Monday’s coaching session that solely the 15-time Main champion’s mobility points stored him from being a critical contender this week, with Woods conscious of his personal limitations forward of his bid for a sixth World Cup title. report grasp. .

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From his 1997 Masters victory to his fifteenth main title in 2019, we glance again at the very best moments from Tiger Woods’ 5 victories at Augusta Nationwide

“I believe my recreation is healthier than it was final 12 months proper now,” Woods admitted. “I believe my stamina is healthier, but it surely hurts me a bit of bit greater than final 12 months simply because at that actual second after I got here again, I actually hadn’t pushed that always.

“I had a bit of window that I pushed into and was in a position to come again. Quick ahead, I did not actually play a lot after that. It took me a little bit of time to get better from that. ‘occasion.

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Watch the second Tiger Woods claimed a fifth Masters victory and his first main title in 11 years within the 2019 contest

“I performed in February in LA [Genesis Invitational] then took a while off earlier than preparing for it. I simply have to concentrate on how a lot I can push him. Like Rory mentioned, I can hit quite a lot of photographs, however the issue for me will probably be strolling ahead. It is like that.”

On whether or not he thought different gamers nonetheless noticed Woods as a potential winner, he added: “Whether or not I used to be a menace to them or not, who is aware of. Individuals most likely did not suppose I used to be a menace both. menace in 2019, however someway it went nicely!”

What does the way forward for Woods’ Masters seem like?

Woods’ Forty seventh-place end in final 12 months’s contest got here simply 14 months after struggling career-threatening leg accidents in a automobile crash, with the world No. 1 happy with how he dealt with his comeback .

“I did not win the match, however for me to have the ability to come again and play was a small victory in itself,” Woods defined. “Yeah, I nonetheless want I had the W [win], However I didn’t do it. I believe I’ve my very own smaller model of that, so I can come again and simply have the ability to play.

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Tiger Woods rolled again the years and delighted Augusta clients with an below 71 within the first spherical of the 2022 contest

“For some purpose all of it got here collectively and I pushed a bit and was in a position to make the minimize, which was good. I do not know the way rather more I’ve in me, so I simply recognize the time I’ve right here and cherish the reminiscences.”

Woods was grouped alongside Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele for the primary two rounds at Augusta Nationwide, with the marquee trio exiting at 3:18 p.m. Thursday and forming a part of the featured group protection on opening day.

Watch The Masters all week lengthy reside on Sky Sports activities! Stay protection of the opening spherical begins Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf.