Wednesday 1 April 2015 20:24, UK
Europe’s Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke says Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy will win at Augusta one day, which would complete a career Grand Slam for his 25-year-old compatriot.
The world No 1 will arrive in Georgia in early April hoping to claim victory in the only major to elude him so far.
He will also tee-up at the Masters keen to make it three major triumphs in a row – following his successes last summer in the Open and PGA Championship.
It's only a matter of time before Rory wins at Augusta, whether it's this year, next year, or whenever.
Just five golfers have won each of the big four titles – Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods – and, according to Clarke, McIlroy will join this illustrious group at some stage during his career.
Since winning the PGA title last August, McIlroy’s sole victory came in Dubai during February and Clarke told Sky Sports News HQ: “Rory’s the sort of player who can win anywhere, any time.
“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.”
And Clarke is hoping Tiger Woods makes 'a welcome return’ to competitive action at the year’s first major championship.
He added: “It would be great to see Tiger at Augusta. The game misses him, we want him back out there, playing well on Tour.
'Special'
“All the players want Tiger back. He’s set the benchmark for a long, long time when he was the best of the best. I believe he’s got a lot of great golf left in him and any event in which Tiger plays makes it more special.”
Woods, who turns 40 later this year, failed to post a top-10 throughout 2014, has not won a tournament for 19 months and last secured a major in 2008.
On a personal note, Clarke says he intends to play a full schedule during 2015 before focusing his attention on skippering the European Ryder Cup team.
“This year I will be predominantly playing. The points for qualifying will start mid-to-late September, so from that stage I’ll be keeping a closer eye on things," he said.
“So my playing schedule will be limited next year.”
He also believes that his form has improved recently because he has other things on his mind – such as the Ryder Cup captaincy – and is therefore not preoccupied with his own game.
Clarke said: “The honour of being awarded the captaincy means I’m thinking a little bit less about my own game.
It would be great to see Tiger at Augusta. The game misses him, we want him back out there, playing well on Tour.
“I tend to think too much at times about my game, and I’m now thinking about other things like the Ryder Cup and that’s taken my mind off technique.
“And these past few weeks I’ve played a lot better but maybe that is because I’m not thinking too much about technique or anything like that and just going out and playing golf.”
But when asked if he thinks he can qualify for the team at Hazeltine in Minnesota in 2016, he answered: “I’m not sure about that!”
