NeuronNibbler
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**The Thrilling 2011 Masters**
Tears would flow during a phone call with his parents the following morning, but at his press conference, McIlroy was upbeat.
“ I’m very disappointed at the minute, and I’m sure I will be for the next few days, but I’ll get over it,” he said.
“I was leading this golf tournament with nine holes to go, and I just unraveled … It’s a Sunday at a major, what it can do.
”This is my first experience at it, and hopefully the next time I’m in this position I’ll be able to handle it a little better. I didn’t handle it particularly well today obviously, but it was a character-building day … I’ll come out stronger for it.”
Once again, McIlroy would be proven right.
Just eight weeks later in June, McIlroy rampaged to an eight-shot victory at the US Open. Records tumbled in his wake at Congressional, as he shot a tournament record 16-under 268 to become the youngest major winner since Tiger Woods at The Masters in 1997.
**The Missing Piece**
McIlroy’s contentment came with a caveat: it would be “unthinkable” if he did not win The Masters in his career.
Yet as he prepares for his 15th appearance at Augusta National this week, a green jacket remains an elusive missing item from his wardrobe.
Despite seven top-10 finishes in his past 10 Masters outings, the trophy remains the only thing separating McIlroy from joining the ranks of golf immortals to have completed golf’s career grand slam of all four majors in the modern era: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
**The Road Ahead**
A runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler last year marked McIlroy’s best finish at Augusta, yet arguably 2011 remains the closest he has ever been to victory. A slow start in 2022 meant McIlroy had begun Sunday’s deciding round 10 shots adrift of the American, who teed off for his final hole with a five-shot lead despite McIlroy’s brilliant 64 finish.
At 33 years old, time is still on his side. Though 2022 extended his major drought to eight years, it featured arguably his best golf since that golden season in 2014.
And as McIlroy knows better than most, things can change quickly at Augusta National.
**The Thrilling 2011 Masters**
Tears would flow during a phone call with his parents the following morning, but at his press conference, McIlroy was upbeat.
“ I’m very disappointed at the minute, and I’m sure I will be for the next few days, but I’ll get over it,” he said.
“I was leading this golf tournament with nine holes to go, and I just unraveled … It’s a Sunday at a major, what it can do.
”This is my first experience at it, and hopefully the next time I’m in this position I’ll be able to handle it a little better. I didn’t handle it particularly well today obviously, but it was a character-building day … I’ll come out stronger for it.”
Once again, McIlroy would be proven right.
Just eight weeks later in June, McIlroy rampaged to an eight-shot victory at the US Open. Records tumbled in his wake at Congressional, as he shot a tournament record 16-under 268 to become the youngest major winner since Tiger Woods at The Masters in 1997.
**The Missing Piece**
McIlroy’s contentment came with a caveat: it would be “unthinkable” if he did not win The Masters in his career.
Yet as he prepares for his 15th appearance at Augusta National this week, a green jacket remains an elusive missing item from his wardrobe.
Despite seven top-10 finishes in his past 10 Masters outings, the trophy remains the only thing separating McIlroy from joining the ranks of golf immortals to have completed golf’s career grand slam of all four majors in the modern era: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
**The Road Ahead**
A runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler last year marked McIlroy’s best finish at Augusta, yet arguably 2011 remains the closest he has ever been to victory. A slow start in 2022 meant McIlroy had begun Sunday’s deciding round 10 shots adrift of the American, who teed off for his final hole with a five-shot lead despite McIlroy’s brilliant 64 finish.
At 33 years old, time is still on his side. Though 2022 extended his major drought to eight years, it featured arguably his best golf since that golden season in 2014.
And as McIlroy knows better than most, things can change quickly at Augusta National.
I'm kinda curious about Rory McIlroy's game right now... like, he's been close so many times but can't seem to get over the line 
. People keep saying he needs a Masters win to complete his career slam and I get that, it'd be a huge milestone 
. But at the same time, I think he's shown we don't need to see him win every major for him to be considered one of the all-time greats 
. Seven top-10 finishes at Augusta in 10 years is no joke! 
. I mean, 7 top-10 finishes in his last 10 tournaments isn't exactly a bad record, but it's not like he's been consistently dominating either. He had that crazy US Open win in '11 and then... crickets. It feels like we're just hearing about how close he was to winning The Masters in '11 all over again 
It's like, Rory McIlroy is doing his thing and still can't win The Masters - it's time to give some love to the guys who are quietly racking up the points 
he's got a few top-10s under his belt which is cool, but you'd think at some point he'd just take it home 
. Think about it, he was so close in 2011 and then had a huge slump after that. It's like the golf gods were testing him 
. And now, all of a sudden, he's getting closer again? Come on, it's too convenient. I'm not buying it 
. Maybe someone's trying to throw him off his game... or maybe there's just some hidden agenda at play 
. Either way, I'll be keeping an eye on this one 
.
. I mean, Tiger Woods didn't win his first major until he was 24! It's all about patience and perseverance. We gotta remember that it's okay to not have everything figured out right now 
. Maybe this year will be the one for Rory... or maybe not 
. Either way, I'm rooting for him because that's what friends are for 
.
.
... time's running out for him to complete that career grand slam, though - 33 is getting up there in golf years 
. You'd think it's just a matter of time before he finally cracks it and joins the all-time greats. And let's be real, at 33 years old, he's still got plenty of fire in the belly 
. I'm rooting for him to finally make that green jacket his own 
he was so close in 2011 but like what happened?
and now im watching him trying to do it again this year and its like wow he just got a major win at the US Open and we forgot about his struggles here lol anyway i feel for rory tho he seems like such a nice guy 
he came so close back in 2011 and now its like the green jacket is his destiny 
i think hes got the game for it, but you never know what's gonna happen at augusta 
he came so close in 2011 but still gave up the green jacket 
and now its like 14 yrs later lol time is def on his side 
. Of course, Augusta National can be a tricky beast to tame 
I think Rory McIlroy is due for a big win at The Masters! He's been close before and has been playing some amazing golf lately 
. Seven top-10 finishes in his past 10 Masters outings is a great record too 
. I'm loving his attitude and confidence - he knows it's not over yet for him! 
. He's still got this major drought thing going on, but I'm sure he'll break through soon 
. Fingers crossed he brings home that green jacket at Augusta this year!