Is this the year Rory ends his Masters hoodoo?
After a mixed start to the season, Rory McIlroy travels to Augusta with a win under his belt. But will he finally achieve his ambition of claiming golf’s Grand Slam? Our betting expert takes a look
I often wonder how many green jackets Rory McIlroy would now own were it not for his back nine collapse at Augusta National in 2011.
Seven years ago, the then 21-year-old had been in the box seat since firing an opening round 65.
But a triple-bogey seven on the 10th, in scenes that are continually replayed every time McIlroy’s name is mentioned in connection with The Masters, led to a final round 80 and the most humiliating of collapses.
In the years since, the Northern Irishman has been ultra consistent in the first major of the year – finishing in the top 10 for the last four years.
He has never really threatened to break the curse of 2011, though.
Following his victory in the Arnold Palmer International a couple of weeks ago, he yet again arrives on Magnolia Lane fighting for favouritism with the bookies.
It’s a three-way fight at present between McIlroy, the returning Tiger Woods and the world No. 1 Dustin Johnson.
So do we have any reason to feel better about his chances this time? Does the 9/1 on offer for the four-time major winner represent value?
We’ll assess that in a minute. But the bet that absolutely stands out to me, given what we’ve already detailed, is the 7/10 on offer for a top 10 finish.
McIlroy may not have won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla but, in the 12 big four tournaments he has played since, that bet would have landed six times.
Having only missed one cut in nine appearances at The Masters, you’d be pretty hopeful of this bet riding into the weekend.
So what are the chances we’ll see McIlroy slip into the Green Jacket on Sunday. Article continues over the page…
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
