Rory McIlroy heads into The Masters this year with hopes of defending the title he won in 2025.
McIlroy finally won The Masters on the 16th time of trying last year, and he completed the career Grand Slam in the process.
However, he admitted to losing some of his motivation immediately after his victory at Augusta National.
Since then, though, the man from Northern Ireland has rediscovered his drive and determination.
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The Masters will be McIlroy’s first tournament since The Players Championship three weeks ago.
While he hasn’t won this year, his game seems to be in very good shape, and nobody should rule him out of defending his title at Augusta National.
However, with so many big-name players finding form at the right time, his task of defending The Masters will undoubtedly be a very difficult one indeed.
Curtis Strange delivers Rory McIlroy Masters verdict
Curtis Strange was speaking during an ESPN Masters Week special on Tuesday.
Strange responded when asked by The Golfing Gazette how he believes McIlroy will perform at Augusta National this year.
“Bottom line is that I think we all know that with Rory admitting in the press room that the monkey [of not winning] was maybe a bit weightier than we thought it was,“ he said.
“It took him 11 years to complete the Slam. Does it free him up this week? That’s one way to look at it, absolutely.
“But I think above anything else he has to putt a bit better. He is currently 104th which is not too terrible when you are Rory but it could be better.
“He is the second best player in the world, has been phenomenal for many years now. He can win any time he tees it up.
“When you admitted the burden that he carried before he won last year, relaxing in the mind, now you can go play the game and there is not that urgency. You certainly would think he would play well this week.
“The best example I can give you is last week and Gary Woodland. Why does a man put himself out to the world and admit what he is going through and say the weight is so heavy and then he wins the next week?
“It is hard to relate to that. The relief that he must have. The relief Rory must have too after his win. I know it’s two different situations but it’s still talking about the mind and how strong it is.“
Scott Van Pelt shares his opinion on Rory McIlroy ahead of The Masters
Scott Van Pelt joined Strange on the ESPN special, and was asked to give his opinion on McIlroy’s chances at Augusta National this year.
“I don’t pretend to be a psychiatrist but having covered the sport for a lot of years I am fascinated by the notion of confidence and the role that it plays,“ Van Pelt said.
“I think Curtis makes a great point. I spoke with Rory about it when I saw him at Quail Hollow and the damn burst of emotions.
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“Maybe you don’t even realise how much you are holding back until you let it go.
“To truly be freed up now. There are no questions to answer at all. He has always been one of the best, now you’ve done it. You’re one of six. The freedom that comes with that in conjunction with the talent that has always been there. It seems to be anything could happen positively.
“What I don’t know is, is there not a lack of motivation but a lack of desperation. I think they are different.
“I don’t think he will lack for motivation because he cares too much about his craft, he’s too good at it, but there’s a difference between being motivated and what desperation can do.
“I don’t think any of us can know the answer to that other than Rory. He fascinates me and always has, because he’s a thinker and shares his thoughts.“
It will be fascinating to see how Rory McIlroy performs at The Masters this year.
He obviously has all of the tools needed to succeed at Augusta National, but as Van Pelt says, does he have the desperation required to win his second green jacket? Only time will tell in that regard.
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