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

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

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Tiger Woods says it is ‘solely a matter of time’ earlier than Rory McIlroy wins at Augusta and ends his watch for a profession Grand Slam

Tiger Woods insists it’s ‘only a matter of time’ earlier than Rory McIlroy claims an elusive victory at The Masters and turns into the newest participant to finish the profession Grand Slam.

McIlroy has posted top-10 finishes in half of his earlier 14 appearances at Augusta Nationwide, with this yr’s occasion his ninth try to hitch Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Participant, Jack Nicklaus and Woods in having gained all 4 main titles.

The world No 2 has already gained the Dubai Desert Basic this season and claimed third on the WGC-Dell Applied sciences Match Play final month, with Woods backing Mcllroy to go one higher than final yr’s runner-up end to Scottie Scheffler and contend once more on the opening main of the yr.

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Wealthy Beem offers his explanation why he believes Rory McIlroy can be victorious at Augusta this yr

“He [McIlroy] will [complete the career Grand Slam], it is only 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.

“Quite a lot of issues must occur to win at this golf course. Quite a lot of issues must go proper. I feel Rory has proven through the years he is discovered find out how to play this golf course and also you simply have to grasp find out how to play it.

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Rory McIlroy says he is hoping he can stop the event of the Masters from getting the higher of him this yr, admitting it is affected his efficiency in earlier years

“He has been there. Final yr he made an excellent run, put himself there. I feel that it is only a matter of time, whether or not it is this yr or subsequent or every time it comes, he’ll get it carried out and he can have a profession Grand Slam. It is simply what yr it will likely be – it should undoubtedly occur.”

Can Woods contend at The Masters?

McIlroy claimed after Monday’s follow spherical collectively that it was solely the 15-time main champion’s mobility points that was stopping him from being a critical contender this week, with Woods conscious of his personal limitations forward of his bid for a record-equalling sixth Masters title.

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

“I feel my recreation is best than it was final yr at this explicit time,” Woods admitted. “I feel my endurance is best, but it surely aches slightly bit greater than it did final yr simply because at that exact time once I got here again, I actually had not pushed it that usually.

“I had slightly window by which I did push it and was capable of come again. Quick-forwarding, I did not actually play an entire lot afterwards. Took slightly bit to get well from the occasion.

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Watch the second Tiger Woods secured a fifth Masters victory and first main title in 11 years through the 2019 contest

“I performed in February in LA [Genesis Invitational] after which took slightly day off earlier than preparing for this. I simply must be cognizant of how a lot I can push it. Like Rory was saying, I can hit a number of pictures however the issue for me goes to be the strolling going ahead. It’s what it’s.”

On whether or not he felt the opposite gamers nonetheless noticed Woods as a potential winner, he added: “Whether or not I am a risk to them or not, who is aware of. Individuals in all probability did not assume I used to be a risk in 2019 both, however form of turned out okay!”

What does Woods’ Masters future appear like?

Woods’ forty seventh place end ultimately yr’s contest got here simply 14 months after sustaining career-threatening leg accidents in a automobile accident, with the world No 1 pleased with how he dealt with his comeback look.

“I did not win the event, however for me to have the ability to come again and play was a small victory in itself,” Woods defined. “Yeah, I nonetheless would have favored to have gotten the W [win], however I did not. I feel I bought my very own smaller model of that, to have the ability to come again and simply have the ability to play.

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Tiger Woods rolled again the years and delighted the Augusta patrons with a one-under 71 through the opening spherical of the 2022 contest

“For some motive every little thing form of got here collectively and I pushed it slightly bit and I used to be capable of make the reduce, which was good. I do not know what number of extra I’ve in me, so I simply respect the time that I’ve right here and cherish the recollections.”

Woods has been grouped alongside Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele for the primary two rounds at Augusta Nationwide, with the marquee trio going out at 1518 on Thursday and a part of Featured Group protection on the opening day.

Watch The Masters all through the week stay on Sky Sports activities! Reside protection of the opening spherical begins on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf.