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**Rory McIlroy's Masters Nightmare**
The 2011 Masters has been etched into Rory McIlroy's memory forever, a day that showcased his raw talent and vulnerability. The young Northern Irishman was leading the tournament with nine holes to play, but a collapse in the final stretch would deny him victory.
McIlroy's contentment came with a caveat: it would be “unthinkable” if he did not win The Masters in his career. Despite seven top-10 finishes in his past 10 Masters outings, the trophy remains the only thing separating McIlroy from joining the ranks of golf immortals to have completed golf’s career grand slam of all four majors in the modern era.
In an interview with the BBC in 2015, McIlroy dubbed the 2011 incident “the most important day” of his career. “If I had not had the whole unravelling, if I had just made a couple of bogeys coming down the stretch and lost by one, I would not have learned as much,” he said.
Fast forward to the present, McIlroy is set to appear at Augusta National for the 15th time this week. A runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler last year marked McIlroy’s best finish at Augusta, yet arguably 2011 remains the closest he has ever been to victory.
At 33 years old, time is still on his side. Though 2022 extended his major drought to eight years, it featured arguably his best golf since that golden season in 2014. And as McIlroy knows better than most, things can change quickly at Augusta National.
The historic victory kickstarted a golden era for McIlroy. After coasting to another eight-shot win at the PGA Championship in 2012, McIlroy became only the third golfer since 1934 to win three majors by the age of 25 with triumph at the 2014 Open Championship. Before the year was out, he would add his fourth major title with another PGA Championship win.
But as we head into the 2023 Masters, McIlroy's quest for that elusive green jacket remains a mystery. The only major title to elude him has become an ongoing saga in golf lore.
A two-stroke victory at Royal Liverpool saw McIlroy clinch the Open Championship in 2014, but his Augusta woes persist. His best finish was runner-up to Scottie Scheffler last year, yet he remains a major winner without that elusive Masters title.
Tears would flow during a phone call with his parents the following morning after that fateful afternoon at Augusta in 2011, but at his press conference, McIlroy was upbeat. “I’m very disappointed at the minute, and I’m sure I will be for the next few days, but I’ll get over it,” he said.
McIlroy’s journey to this moment has been a long and winding road. But as he tees off at Augusta National on Thursday, all eyes will be on that one final trophy – The Masters green jacket.
**Rory McIlroy's Masters Nightmare**
The 2011 Masters has been etched into Rory McIlroy's memory forever, a day that showcased his raw talent and vulnerability. The young Northern Irishman was leading the tournament with nine holes to play, but a collapse in the final stretch would deny him victory.
McIlroy's contentment came with a caveat: it would be “unthinkable” if he did not win The Masters in his career. Despite seven top-10 finishes in his past 10 Masters outings, the trophy remains the only thing separating McIlroy from joining the ranks of golf immortals to have completed golf’s career grand slam of all four majors in the modern era.
In an interview with the BBC in 2015, McIlroy dubbed the 2011 incident “the most important day” of his career. “If I had not had the whole unravelling, if I had just made a couple of bogeys coming down the stretch and lost by one, I would not have learned as much,” he said.
Fast forward to the present, McIlroy is set to appear at Augusta National for the 15th time this week. A runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler last year marked McIlroy’s best finish at Augusta, yet arguably 2011 remains the closest he has ever been to victory.
At 33 years old, time is still on his side. Though 2022 extended his major drought to eight years, it featured arguably his best golf since that golden season in 2014. And as McIlroy knows better than most, things can change quickly at Augusta National.
The historic victory kickstarted a golden era for McIlroy. After coasting to another eight-shot win at the PGA Championship in 2012, McIlroy became only the third golfer since 1934 to win three majors by the age of 25 with triumph at the 2014 Open Championship. Before the year was out, he would add his fourth major title with another PGA Championship win.
But as we head into the 2023 Masters, McIlroy's quest for that elusive green jacket remains a mystery. The only major title to elude him has become an ongoing saga in golf lore.
A two-stroke victory at Royal Liverpool saw McIlroy clinch the Open Championship in 2014, but his Augusta woes persist. His best finish was runner-up to Scottie Scheffler last year, yet he remains a major winner without that elusive Masters title.
Tears would flow during a phone call with his parents the following morning after that fateful afternoon at Augusta in 2011, but at his press conference, McIlroy was upbeat. “I’m very disappointed at the minute, and I’m sure I will be for the next few days, but I’ll get over it,” he said.
McIlroy’s journey to this moment has been a long and winding road. But as he tees off at Augusta National on Thursday, all eyes will be on that one final trophy – The Masters green jacket.
I think Rory McIlroy's story is so inspiring 
. He's like the underdog who keeps coming back stronger 
. I mean, can you imagine being just a kid from Northern Ireland and already expecting to win The Masters? 
It's crazy to think he's been close so many times yet still hasn't got it 
. But at 33, I'm still hopeful for him - maybe this is his year 
! Time's on his side, right? 
. He's had some close calls over the years, but that 2011 collapse was a real low point... or high point, depending on how you look at it 
. At this stage in his career, I think he knows exactly what he needs to do to win – and if he can't get it done at Augusta, then when? 
The question is, will time be on his side for once? 
. He's had some amazing years in golf and it would be crazy if he didn't win at Augusta National by now. I mean, he's only 33, which is still pretty young for a golfer, right? 
the guy's been playing great for years but still can't win the masters 
️
like 8 years without a major win is a big deal and people are already hailing him as a legend but he still needs that 1 thing to complete his set 
. I MEAN, THE GUY IS 33 NOW AND STILL GOING STRONG 
. BUT YOU CAN'T BLAME HIM FOR WANTING THAT ONE LAST PUSH TO GET THAT GREEN JACKET 
!
time is on his side tho, fingers crossed for him this year! 
Still rooting for him tho 
, he had it all going for him with nine holes to go and then just completely fell apart 
. Can't wait to see what happens this year! 
I know he's said that winning The Masters would be "unthinkable" if he doesn't do it, and honestly who could blame him? It'd be like living a whole life without achieving the ultimate goal. He did have some amazing years in 2014 though, won four majors back to back and became only the third guy to ever do that 
#Masters2025 #RoryMcIlroy #GolfLegend #NeverGiveUp 
. Time is on his side for sure, but you can't help feeling for the guy