Tiger Woods has reiterated his agency perception that Rory McIlroy will full the profession Grand Slam on the Masters in some unspecified time in the future in his profession.
The Holywood star can be making his tenth try to win the Masters this week and be a part of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Participant and Tiger Woods by changing into simply the sixth participant to win all 4 Majors,
“No query, he’ll do it in some unspecified time in the future,” Woods mentioned in his pre-tournament press convention. “He is simply — Rory’s too gifted, too good. He’ll be taking part in this occasion for a really very long time. He’ll get it performed. It is only a matter of when.
“However, sure, I believe that Rory can be a terrific Masters champion in the future, and it may very well be this week. You by no means know.
“I simply assume that simply, once more, the expertise that he has, the way in which he performs sport and the golf course matches his eye, it is only a matter of time.”
The five-time Masters champion’s feedback had been eerily just like final 12 months when McIlroy arrived at Augusta feeling extra assured than ever of his probabilities and went on to overlook the reduce.
“Loads of issues should occur to win at this golf course,” Woods mentioned on the time. “Loads of issues should go proper. I believe Rory has proven through the years he is realized tips on how to play this golf course and also you simply have to know tips on how to play it.
“He is been there. Final 12 months, he made a terrific run and put himself there. However whether or not it is this 12 months or subsequent or each time it comes, he’ll get it performed and he may have a profession grand slam. It would undoubtedly occur.”
As for Woods, the 15-time main champion has performed simply 24 holes this 12 months however he insists he’s in Augusta to win once more and match Jack Nicklaus with six Masters victories.
Requested if he was planning to take the Ryder Cup captaincy at Bethpage subsequent 12 months, Woods mentioned: “It is one thing that Seth (Waugh, PGA of America CEO) and I are going to sit down again and discuss it after this occasion. “I mentioned I’ll be busy for a few weeks, so let me deal with getting by way of this week and hopefully getting one other jacket, after which we will sit again and discuss it subsequent week.”
Woods stays bodily challenged to stroll and take care of the hills and uneven lies at Augusta however he has no plans to turn into an honorary starter simply but.
“No, I’ve not thought of being a starter right here, no,” he mentioned of press convention laughs.
Pressed on when the day may come when he feels he can’t win, he mentioned: “Nicely, I nonetheless assume they’ll. So I do not know when that day is, when that day comes, however I nonetheless assume that I can. I have never obtained to that time the place I do not assume I can’t.”
As for taking part in in ache, he added: “I ache. No, I ache on daily basis. And I favor it heat and humid and sizzling. And I do know we’ll get some thunderstorms. So at the least will probably be sizzling. It will not be like final 12 months.”