Rory McIlroy capable of ‘special’ Masters victory, says Butch Harmon

Tournament at Augusta is the only major to evade the Northern Irishman so far

Former professional golfer Butch Harmon believes Rory McIlroy could be a sleeper favourite at this year’s Masters, which starts on Thursday.

McIlroy was close to wearing the prestigious Green Jacket at Augusta back in 2011 when he entered Sunday’s final round with a four-shot lead, but it was not meant to be as he dropped six shots in three holes on the back nine, including a triple bogey on 10, which finished his run at that year’s Masters.

But since then the Northern Irishman has won every other major, including two wins at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy’s best finish at the Masters was in 2015 when he placed fourth, and Harmon believes that the 31-year-old is finally ready to end his bad luck at Augusta this year as he enters the tournament under the radar.

Speaking to Sportsmail, Harmon said: “If he can clean up the mental mistakes, I think Rory will have a good chance to win and it would be really special, because it is the one he hasn’t won.

“You would think it is only a matter of time until he completes the Grand Slam, he is too good not to.

“He is one of the best players the game has had in the last 10 to 12 years.”

McIlroy will be up against some big contenders, including Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, and is in decent form following a tied-17th finish at the ZOZO Championship, a tied-21st at the CJ Cup and tied-eighth place at the US Open.