Rory McIlroy issued stern warning ahead of Masters title defence: ‘Very difficult’ | Football

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes a number of factors will make it ‘very difficult’ for Rory McIlroy to defend the Masters this week.

McIlroy returns to Augusta National as the defending champion after his dramatic play-off victory against Justin Rose twelve months ago, which saw him end a decade-long major drought and complete the career Grand Slam.

The Northern Irishman will now seek to become just the fourth player to retain the Green Jacket after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods, but comes into this week off the back of an understated start to the season.

McIlroy has recorded just one top-ten finish on the PGA Tour so far this season, while a back injury, which saw him withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, has surely affected his preparation.

And McGinley believes that those issues, as well as the extra requirements put on McIlroy as the defending champion, will make it that bit more difficult for the 36-year-old to defend his crown.

‘I think it’s off, to be honest,’ McGinley said when asked about the state of McIlroy’s game ahead of Thursday’s first round. ‘I don’t think he’s primed the way he was this time last year, coming off wins at The Players and Pebble Beach. 

‘Obviously, the injury has derailed him a little bit. I think it’s going to be very difficult, and it always is, to defend around Augusta. I think Rory’s concentration levels will be tested because of the activities that go on as the defending champion. 

‘Not just the dinner, but I think he’s going to be around wearing his green jacket around the property for a few days, and may have to go up earlier than he would normally do.

‘There’s a lot of stuff that goes on as defending champion, and it’s a good problem to have, and I’m sure he’s delighted with it. But I don’t know if it’s going to drive him into a top-level performance.’

Asked to expand upon why it has proven so difficult to defend the Masters, McGinley added: ‘I think human nature more than anything else. I’m only observing this, but I think you come back on site and you’re in a very happy place in your own head.

‘There’s a sense of pride. There’s a sense of happiness about you. There’s a sense of excitement. You’re hosting this amazing dinner on a Saturday night. You’re wearing a green jacket around the property. Everybody’s shaking your hand and is happy to see you.

‘People want a bit of your time, and it lends itself to being a great place as a human being and a very memorable place as a human being. 

‘But I’d make a very strong case that that’s the opposite mindset you need in order to be a winner for the tournament that week.’

If not McIlroy, then who does McGinley fancy to win? ‘You look through the names, and the really top player that I think is trending towards a big performance is Xander [Schauffele],’ the Irishman noted.

‘And the guy I quietly like is Bob MacIntyre. Left-handers have had a lot of success around there. He’s a guy now with a couple of top-10s in majors last year, as well as a big finish in The Players a few weeks ago, and is trending towards doing something really big in the game. 

‘I think it’s a matter of time before he wins a major championship.’

Watch more live Masters coverage than ever before, exclusively on Sky Sports and NOW from Thursday 9 April.

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