Two-time US Open champion Curtis Strange believes that Rory McIlroy needs to stay calm and cool ahead of the Masters at Augusta next week if he wants to complete the Grand Slam set in his career.
Mcllroy has been searching for the elusive fifth major for years and is part of one of the biggest golfing narratives in regards to "will he or won't he join Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus in creating golfing history??
McIlroy's last major win was in 2014 at the PGA Championship. The Holywood native is a four-time major champion, winning the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, and 2014 PGA Championship. However, since 2014, he has failed to win a fifth major.
During this time period, McIlroy has won other titles and climbed to the top of golf's world rankings, but none matter more than the Masters for McIlroy.
Nevertheless, he has been unable to secure another major win while his colleagues have succeeded in prestigious golf tournaments.
McIlroy is currently in contention at the Valero Texas Open and will contest the fifth major next week in Florida.
In last year's Masters, McIlroy failed to make the cut at Augusta and will have another chance for glory when the prestigious golf event begins on Thursday, April 11.
Strange believes that his time in Texas will help him ahead of the Masters next week.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to a putt on the 14th green during the second round of Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2022 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Bob said the main thing for Rory next week is to stay calm and cool,” Strange said in an ESPN teleconference this week.
“He had this phrase, ‘the mind has to be stronger than the swing’, and I think in Rory’s case that is exactly right because he does have some baggage coming in here.
“He knows he could have won here a couple of times, but he knows he has the game as well."
Strange also believes that the Holywood native should play more conservative golf around Augusta, and just maybe he will be in and around the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.
“So do what you know how to do. Play your own game, play smart, play a little more conservative golf around Augusta, and then on Sunday afternoon, if the chips fall, he’ll be in contention.
“One of the best stories I have ever heard is when Claude Harmon was the pro at Winged Foot when the US Open was there.
“They played a practice round with [Ben] Hogan, who said, 'Claude, you have a chance this week if you look at the grass all week long'. Don’t make eye contact with friends; don’t speak to everybody.
“I think that relates to Rory next week. He’s been coming in here for so long with so much on his mind that it’s all about you next week, Rory. It’s all about what you can do—your game.”
