Jack Nicklaus says concentration lapses behind Rory McIlroy not winning Masters
Join Independent's Betting Newsletter For Tips & Offers
"Join Independent's Betting Newsletter"
At Augusta National, Jack Nicklaus expressed his criticism towards Rory McIlroy regarding his apparent lack of focus during the start of the 88th Masters.
Due to the rain from the previous night and the possibility of thunderstorms, the beginning of the game was postponed from 8 in the morning to 10:30am. The tournament was officially started, 20 minutes earlier, by Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson who hit their tee shots on the first hole and then returned to the clubhouse.
The three individuals proceeded with a long session for the press before Nicklaus participated in an interview on the Golf Channel show "Live from the Masters." During the interview, the topic of discussion was McIlroy's inability to secure a green jacket, preventing him from achieving the coveted career grand slam accolade.
Nicklaus, who has won 18 major tournaments, shared his only critique of Rory.
It's crucial to stay fully focused during a tournament. However, Rory seems to experience a momentary lapse at some point, leading to an unexpected double or triple bogey.
I am unaware of the method or motivation he employs, but it occurs nonetheless. It is my desire that this occurrence would cease.
In the press conference held earlier, Nicklaus expressed his confidence that McIlroy would eventually emerge victorious in the Masters. However, he also highlighted that both Watson and Arnold Palmer were unable to achieve a career grand slam due to their failure to win the US PGA.
"Tom Watson has the ability to win the Grand Slam, without a doubt," commented Nicklaus.
Could Arnold Palmer have won the Grand Slam? Certainly. Can Rory McIlroy win the Grand Slam? Definitely, but they both need to actually achieve it, and they are aware of that.
"Will Rory win here? I have a feeling that he might. He has the skills and abilities to win not only this year but also the next. However, it's crucial to remember that even Watson and Palmer, who were highly talented, couldn't secure a victory. It goes to show that the outcome is unpredictable."
During his 10th attempt to achieve the grand slam, McIlroy began slowly. He played his first six holes one stroke over par, while his playing companion and the favorite to win the tournament, Scottie Scheffler, scored two birdies during the same stretch of holes.
The current champion, Jon Rahm, had a score of one under par when he reached the seventh hole. Meanwhile, Ryan Fox from New Zealand was doing excellently, having achieved a score of five under par due to making birdies on the first three holes and managing an eagle on the eighth hole, which is a par-five.
The initial round couldn't be finished on Thursday as it was planned because of weather conditions. Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, and Tommy Fleetwood were the last group and couldn't start the game until 4:30 pm according to the local time due to the weather delay.
