Set to Compete on the 10th of Next Month...
"Practicing to Ease the Pressure"
Four Major Titles Achieved... Only the Masters Remains
Only Five Legends in History, Including Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods, Have Done It
On the 10th of next month, the world’s golf fans will turn their attention to the opening of the ‘Masters Tournament.’ Fierce competition among the world’s top-ranked players is expected in this tournament, but particular focus is on Rory McIlroy (34, Northern Ireland). If McIlroy wins this Masters, he will achieve the sixth-ever ‘Career Grand Slam’ in history.
The Career Grand Slam refers to winning all four different major championships (the Masters, the US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship). It is a monumental achievement accomplished by only five golfers in the history of the sport. The legends who have achieved this are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
McIlroy has already won four major titles: the 2011 US Open, the 2012 PGA Championship, and both the 2014 Open Championship and PGA Championship. However, he has yet to win the Masters. In 2011, he faltered in the final round and missed out on the title, and despite several attempts since then, he has not reached the top at Augusta.
In the 2022 tournament, he mounted a fierce comeback by shooting an 8-under 64 in the final round without a single bogey, but ultimately had to settle for runner-up behind Scottie Scheffler (29, USA). In the 2023 tournament, he faced the disappointment of missing the cut. However, this year, he is entering the competition with more thorough preparation and stronger determination than ever before.
McIlroy’s playing style suits the Masters well. Equipped with powerful drives and precise iron play, he has the ability to tackle the long course at Augusta National. The key factors are putting and mental strength. The Masters is especially known for its challenging greens, making putting skills decisive for success. Given his past experiences of missing winning opportunities, whether McIlroy can overcome the psychological pressure will be a crucial variable.
Last week, McIlroy held a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club. At the official press conference for the Texas Children’s Houston Open held on the 27th (local time), he stated, “There are four newly renovated greens at Augusta National this year. I played a practice round to check the new hole locations.” He added, “Practicing when there are no people around is better for me. It helps reduce the pressure early in Masters week.” He explained, “During the tournament, there are many events to attend, which makes me feel rushed from the start. That’s why I did a practice round in advance.”
Meanwhile, the Augusta area, where the tournament is held, suffered significant damage last fall due to Hurricane Helene. Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, stated in January that the course has been well restored but there are fewer trees than before. Regarding this, McIlroy said, “It’s definitely noticeable that a few trees are gone. However, aside from the fact that the shadows cast over the greens are reduced in the afternoon, the course is almost the same as before.”
The Masters is not just a major tournament. For golfers, it is the ‘dream stage,’ and wearing the green jacket is the highest honor. This year, McIlroy is demonstrating peak form. He is maintaining top condition after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship, often called the ‘fifth major.’ Can he become a new legend? Golf fans around the world are watching his challenge and eagerly anticipating the birth of a historic moment.
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