Rich Beem says if he thinks Rory McIlroy can still win The Masters this year after his disastrous end to day one

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Rich Beem has delivered his verdict on whether or not Rory McIlroy can still win The Masters.

Rory McIlroy made a bitterly disappointing start to The Masters at Augusta National on Thursday.

The Ulsterman looked in imperious form when he moved to four-under par after 13 holes of his opening round.

However, his hopes of posting a low number were derailed on the 15th, after he chipped into the water from the back of the green.

McIlroy then made another double bogey, this time on the 17th, before parring the final hole to card a 72.

• READ MORE: Rory McIlroy can do something this week that hasn’t been done in 90 years at Augusta

Sir Nick Faldo predicted 10 years ago that Rory McIlroy would find it hard to win The Masters, and he has been proven very much spot on as things stand.

But is he completely out of this event just yet?

Rich Beem says if he thinks Rory McIlroy can still win The Masters this year

Rich Beem has always been a huge fan of Rory.

But even ‘Beemer’ must be questioning whether the 35-year-old will have to wait another year at least before slipping into a green jacket.

After Rory’s poor finish to his first round on Thursday, Beem responded when asked by the Sky Sports commentary crew whether McIlroy can still win The Masters this year:

“I could not agree more [that he could still win]. What you have got to focus on is Justin Rose went out there and played a phenomenal round so set himself apart from the chasing pack, leading by three. Rory has to go out there and say if I can shoot a 68 tomorrow, I am going to be right in the middle of this thing when it comes down to Saturday afternoon. I really believe that.“

The stats don’t back up what Rich Beem is saying one little bit.

Rory has struggled around Augusta pretty much every single year, aside from the odd glimpses of brilliance here and there.

Can Rory still equal 90-year Masters record?

If McIlroy does win The Masters this year, it will be the first time someone has completed the Grand Slam at Augusta National Since 1935.

Gene Sarazen accomplished that feat then, but the Northern Irishman looks unlikely to do it this year.

Much will depend on what Justin Rose does on Friday.

If the Englishman doesn’t go too deep under par, Rory McIlroy will still be well in the race for The Masters if he manages to shoot a 69 or lower on Friday.