[Ian Hudson]

Rory McIlroy returns to the place of the nadir of his career this week when he plays in the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour. The former world number one has contrasting memories of the PGA National course in Florida where he won this event two years ago but walked off the course and withdrew 12 months ago.

McIlroy is the youngest player since Seve Ballesteros to win two majors. When you also throw into the mix his four shot lead ahead of the final round of the 2011 US Masters he could already be three quarters of the way to career Grand Slam and has yet to reach his 25th birthday.

He couldn’t handle the situation in the Masters but learnt from the experience to such an extent that he won the US Open by 8 shots just two months later. Winning all four majors at least once is the mark of a true great and only five players have achieved that during their careers.

Phil Mickelson has finished second in the US Open six times and surely feels he is owed his country’s national championship. A US Open would complete the set for Mickelson and this year could be his last genuine chance to finally have won all four majors.

McIlroy has the game for Augusta and surely there will be one week over the next 15 yeas in which he putts well enough to win the Green Jacket. That just leaves the British Open to make it all four and this could be the most difficult for McIlroy to win.

In the past he has said he won’t change his game just for one week of links golf. However, all the greats have adapted their technique for seaside golf and McIlroy must win the Open Championship to be ranked alongside the immortals of the game such as Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson and Woods.

Before focusing on the majors McIlroy has a job to do this week to regain his credibility in the eyes of the Florida golfing public. Jack Nicklaus amongst others was critical of McIlroy’s attitude last year and regaining his respect will be more important than winning the Honda Classic.

By Ian Hudson
Sports Betting and Gaming Consultant
http://www.inhudsonsport.co.uk
http://www.ianhudsongaming.co.uk

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• This topic was modified 11 years, 7 months ago by My Tipsters.