RORY MCILROY MAY only have one top-ten finish to his name so far this season, but Gary Player doesn’t see that as diminishing the youngster’s chances when the 2011 US Masters tees off at Augusta National on Thursday.
The 21-year-old has spent more time practicing then competing this year with his total of eight-under par at the WGC-Cadillac Championship good enough for a share of tenth place.
Though three-time Augusta winner Gary Player feels that defending champion Phil Mickelson has rightly been installed as favourite to wear the famous green jacket come Sunday afternoon, he told Reuters that McIlroy has every chance of making a name for himself.
“Rory McIlroy is so talented. I’ve got a feeling about him. I don’t know why,” Player said.
He is ready to come through. I just love the way he plays golf. However we don’t know how he will rise to the occasion if he comes down the line and he’s leading.You never know who has got what I call the ingredients. The swing is not the thing. It’s what’s inside that makes you win. You don’t know if you have it until you are tested.
Player’s comments come just a few days after golf coach and pundit Butch Harmon told the Irish Times that it was slightly too soon for McIlroy to record his maiden Major win, suggesting that an improvement in his short game is needed before that day will come.
Rory hits the ball from right to left, so that’s the good news, but I’m not sure his short game is of the quality of some of the other players.Rory is a great talent and should one day be Masters champion.
