[Field Story] McIlroy and the Masters

Failed Career Grand Slam After Masters Qualifying Elimination
Mental Breakdown Leads to Next Tournament Withdrawal, Maintaining Composure Is Key

It is not easy. The more you are conscious of it, the harder it becomes to achieve. This is about the ‘Career Grand Slam’ of Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), ranked third in the world.

This year, it ended in vain again. McIlroy could have completed the ‘Career Grand Slam’ by winning the Masters last week, which would have meant conquering all four major tournaments. However, he managed an even-par in the first round but lost as many as five strokes in the second round, resulting in a ‘cut off’ (5-over-par 149). He has not worn the ‘Green Jacket’ for nearly 10 years.

McIlroy is not a player with outstanding physical attributes. He is 175cm tall and weighs 73kg. But through relentless effort and determination, he has made a mark in men’s golf history. He has won 23 times on the PGA Tour and 15 times on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). His major victories include the 2011 US Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, and the 2014 Open Championship. Among the majors, only the Masters title eludes him.

To achieve the 'Career Grand Slam' with a Masters victory, Rory McIlroy needs to maintain a calm and composed mindset.

The ‘Career Grand Slam’ that McIlroy is pursuing is a great record in golf history. Only five players have conquered it: Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods (both USA). McIlroy has come close to winning the Masters. Over the past nine years, he has finished in the ‘top 10’ six times: 4th in 2015, tied 10th in 2016, tied 7th in 2017, tied 5th in 2018, tied 5th in 2020, and 2nd in 2022. Last year, he showed incredible strength by shooting 8-under par on the final day, the daily best, but was stopped by world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler (USA).

McIlroy showed strong confidence at this year’s Masters. He smiled brightly during a practice round with Woods. The atmosphere was good. He came prepared. He even took out a putter model similar to the one he used when winning the US Open and PGA Championship. McIlroy said, "If I can play my own game at the Masters, I will have a chance to win."

However, things did not go as planned during the tournament. He faltered. He did not have a single eagle. He made 10 bogeys and one double bogey. His greens in regulation rate was only 56%, making it difficult to create birdie opportunities. Golf is a mental sport. When the desire is strong, the body can stiffen. Pressure causes tension.

McIlroy appeared deeply frustrated at this year’s Masters. He withdrew from the PGA Tour’s ‘premier event’ RBC Heritage, which followed the Masters. He had originally planned to participate but changed his mind. This is his second ‘big match’ absence following the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January. PGA Tour players who miss two or more ‘premier events’ without valid reasons such as injury cannot receive bonuses based on the Player Impact Program.

Fellow players also shook their heads at McIlroy’s ‘unauthorized withdrawal’ from the RBC Heritage. The reaction was unfavorable. Players like Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler (both USA) expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, "He did not even properly explain the reason for his absence. He did not express regret to the organizers or fans."

McIlroy is the most influential player on the PGA Tour. He must set an example. Maintaining the strong trust he has earned from fellow players is as important as his performance. McIlroy was born in May 1989. He is only 33 years old. He needs to pull himself together and maintain composure. He must have the poise befitting a superstar. This is to achieve the final puzzle piece: winning the Masters.