Clarke: McIlroy will win Masters and complete career grand slam
EUROPE’S Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke harbours no doubt that world No1 Rory McIlroy will one day win the Masters and complete a career grand slam.
Only five golfers have won each of golf’s four Major tournaments, with the illustrious group containing American quartet Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, as well as South Africa’s Gary Player.
McIlroy will bid to follow in their footsteps next month in Georgia, a feat which would see the 25-year-old Northern Irishman seal three Major triumphs in a row after last year’s success in the Open and PGA Championship.
“Rory’s the sort of player who can win anywhere, any time,” said Clarke, winner of the 2011 Open Championship. “He started this year well in the desert and then went to the States where he hasn’t quite found his full game yet.
“But it’s only a matter of time before he wins at Augusta, whether it’s this year, next year, whenever. His game is ideally suited to playing a high, long draw which you need at Augusta.”