Can McIlroy finally win the Masters?
While Rory McIlroy’s name might be considered for a future selection into the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, the world renowned Northern Irish star is aiming to claim the one major honor that has forever eluded him as he gears up for another shot at claim a prestigious green jacket at the 2024 Masters.
The Masters is always considered to be one of the biggest sporting events of the entire calendar year with many golf fans also claiming that it is the most legendary competition that the sport has to offer due to its high level of play and lineage within the sporting world.
Many of the game’s most coveted and widely respected star names have since carved their own legacies into sporting history following on from their sublime displays at the Masters in prior iterations as this is a yearly event that takes place at the Augusta National Golf Club which is located in the state of Georgia.
The 2024 Masters event will soon get underway later this year on the 11th of April with the final contest concluding a few days later on the 14th which has left fans already speculating as to which established names are likely to claim a coveted green jacket and the permanent Masters trophy which of course is handed out to the winner of the entire event.
Star names such as Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth are amongst the most notable contenders to stage a push towards Masters glory, however there is one particular name that sports fans will certainly be keeping a watchful eye throughout the competition.
Rory McIlroy has remained a pinnacle star name within the sport for well over a decade as he has won four separate major tournaments across a truly memorable tenure, with the Northern Irish star now aiming to claim the one major honor that he is still yet to win.
- What are McIlroy’s chances of winning the 2024 Masters?
Heading into the 2024 Masters, McIlroy is entering the tournament as a major favorite to end his title drought as he is currently listed as a +1000 outright winner for the event according to the latest Masters odds that is featured on DraftKings with only Scottie Scheffler ranked higher at +450.
McIlroy has had his fair share of close calls at winning the Masters during his previous appearances at the event with his highest ever finish being the runner-up spot as he lost to the aforementioned Scheffler at the 2022 event where the American finished with a ten score under par which ended up being a decisive three stroke advantage.
Despite coming so close to claiming a green jacket in 2022, McIlroy greatly underperformed the following year as he missed out on a return to title contention at the Masters for the second time in three years after a calamitous round two showing where he shoot an underwhelming five over par.
McIlroy’s 2023 Masters performance was gravely disappointing as he had entered the event in stupendous form with many fans even claiming that this would be the year where he would finally claim glory at the event.
While the 2023 Masters was certainly a bitterly disappointing showing from the usually dynamite McIlroy, the Northern Irish icon ended 2023 on a strong note as he played a pivotal role in the European team’s Ryder Cup success.
McIlroy has been aiming to complete the career grand slam for nearly a full decade as his last winnings at a major tournament came way back in 2014 when he won his second PGA Championship and later became a title winner at The Open Championship.
However, fans may still be hesitant to back McIlroy following his showings across the past few Masters as well as his now infamous collapse at the 2011 event where he would famously let a four-shot lead slip on the final day which may have since been the main culprit for some of his later showings at the beloved tournament which has resulted in various unsuccessful outcomes.
- Who are McIlroy’s major competitors at the 2024 Masters?
While McIlroy does rank amongst the top favorites to win the Masters later this year, there remains plenty of noteworthy contenders who could force the Northern Irish starlet’s campaign to end in dismay once again.
His former adversary from the 2022 Masters, Scottie Scheffler, is still believed to be the odds-on favorite this year and is also followed by last year’s winner Jon Rahm (+1100) who certainly has every bit of a chance of becoming only the fourth golfer in the event’s illustrious history to win the event on consecutive occasions.
Jordan Spieth (+1800), Will Zalatoris (+1800), Viktor Hovland (+2000) and Brooks Koepka (+2000) are also amongst the top contenders heading into the 2024 tournament meaning McIlroy will certainly face some stiff competition for various other rivals if he is aiming to end his struggles at the Masters and finally clinch the one accolade that he has yet to claim across a truly outstanding career.
