Professional golfer Gary Murphy has admitted that he does not actually mind seeing Rory McIlroy not in the best form with The Masters just around the corner.
Rory McIlroy must have really mixed feelings about this time of year in the golf calendar. Of course, anyone who loves the sport is counting down the days until the world’s best tee it up at Augusta National.
But for the Northern Irishman, the build-up to The Masters probably acts as the biggest reminder of how long he has now gone without winning one of the sport’s biggest events.
McIlroy has had the chance to complete the career grand slam every year since the 2015 Masters. However, that green jacket continues to evade the 34-year-old.
Rory McIlroy out of form ahead of The Masters
It feels as though McIlroy has tried absolutely everything to end his wait for Masters glory. He has been in sensational form heading into the event at times, and he has been in less impressive form.
Right now, McIlroy does not have his best stuff by any means. Despite winning in Dubai earlier this year, he is yet to register a top 10 finish on the PGA Tour this season.
But speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast ahead of this week’s Valero Texas Open, Gary Murphy suggested that McIlroy may really benefit from going under the radar heading into The Masters.
“His form has been very poor by his standards. He started very well, was very good around Dubai Creek, he played the last hole terribly to lose the tournament and then bounced back and won at the Emirates.
Everything was great, then he went to Pebble Beach and flying, ended up tailing away. And then he hasn’t been inside the top 15 in his last five starts. I actually don’t mind that, I would hate if Rory was doing a Scottie Scheffler at the moment the expectation would be absolutely ferocious.
“Playing in Valero will be good. I’d like to see him go to Augusta as late as possible, turn up and just play, he knows that place inside out.
“But Rory is very undercooked. It would be nice to see a top 10 and a bit of form. He’s had a break. I’m hoping he’s been working on the stuff he needs to work on. He has been back to his miss left with his irons, which suggests he’s stopping him flipping. That comes from indecision. I think Rory playing this week is a good thing.”
Northern Irishman will always be a contender – regardless of form
McIlroy is probably sick of hearing about the career grand slam. Ultimately, he will not care one bit which tournament provides his fifth major championship win. But the longer the run continues, the harder it will become.
The good news is that McIlroy is one of those players whose previous form can go out of the window at a moment’s notice.
So if he does find himself anywhere near being in contention heading into the back nine on Sunday, his supporters will hope that McIlroy can find his magical best and get across the line.
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