RORY MCILROY has “everything in the universe lined up” for him to win the Masters.
Now Butch Harmon has told him he just has to go out and do it – by relaxing.
GettyRory McIlroy is desperate to complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters[/caption]
Legendary coach Butch Harmon believes ‘eveything in the universe is lined up’ for McIlroyAlamy
McIlroy, 35, has won the US Open, The Open Championship and two PGA Championships in his illustrious 18 years as a pro – but is desperate to become the sixth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam.
He endured a nightmare collapse in 2011 and has seven top-ten finishes at Augusta, including second in 2022.
But Harmon believes 2025 is the year a “different” McIlroy will roar to victory.
Tiger Woods’ former coach, 81, told SunSport: “Everything is lined up. The stars are all lined up, the moon, everything that people talk about in the universe is lined up for Rory to win the Masters. Now he has to go do it.
“He’s put so much personal pressure on himself to win because he wants it so bad because he’s won the other three.
“I would say in the past, the pressure would have been from the outside. Now it’s all on himself.
“Rory is going to have to relax.
“If he can relax and just play golf, I think this could be the one to get him over the hump.
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“He wants it so bad.
“Last year you could see that – he always looked like he was in a hurry and didn’t calm down.
“The question is can he relax enough and just enjoy the moment of play? It’s very easy to say, it’s not very easy to do at a major.
“If we can watch his demeanor on Thursday, even in the way he practises… is he in a hurry, is he in a rush?
“Everybody’s all amped up for the first major. You’re like a horse in the starting gate. ‘Let me go, let me go.’ You just have to just calm yourself down.
“I think we’re going to see a different Rory this year.”
On paper, McIlroy comes into the Masters second in the world rankings behind defending champion Scottie Scheffler.
The American, though, has not won on the PGA Tour yet this year following a freak hand injury at Christmas when he shattered a wine glass while cutting ravioli.
McIlroy, meanwhile, came out on top at both Pebble Beach and The Players at TPC Sawgrass.
It is the first time the Northern Irishman has won twice in America before April – and puts him in the perfect position to take full advantage this week.
Harmon worked with McIlroy on his swing a year ago after previously coaching Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson and others.
The veteran added: “Obviously Rory knows he’s playing better than anybody in the world at this moment in time.
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“His game is completely ready to play. I think he’s playing beautifully. He seems to have the putter working.
“It just has to be your self-confidence. You have to believe 100 per cent in yourself and your ability.
“You’ve trained well, you’re ready for it, you know the golf course, you can overpower a golf course the way he drives the ball.
“Jack Nicklaus used to say the Masters is probably the easiest of the four majors to win because there’s only around 90 players, a lot of them are older, senior past champions or amateurs. It whittles down to about 12 or 15 guys that might have a chance to win.
“Scottie and Rory are probably going to be the two favourites. If I had to give you a favourite, I would say Rory.”
Harmon reckons another European Ryder Cup hero will be in contention come Sunday, too.
Tommy Fleetwood is waiting for his maiden win on the PGA Tour and has top-five finishes at all the majors, including T3 at the Masters 12 months ago.
But the legendary coach is currently working with the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist and is impressed by what he is seeing.
Harmon said: “I’ve got a lot of faith in Tommy Fleetwood this week. He has a great game that suits Augusta National.
“It all comes down to his putting. If he can get his putting sorted out on those greens, he’s going to be right there and will have a great chance to win.
“He’s had so many second-place finishes over here. He’s ready to break out and then show them something.”
Enjoy 50% more live coverage than ever before of The 2025 Masters, exclusively on Sky Sports and NOW from 10 April.
GettyMcIlroy has had a number of near misses at Augusta[/caption]
GettyHe needs to be able to relax and keep himself calm despite the internal pressure[/caption]
GettyHarmon – pictured in 2016 – worked on the Northern Irishman’s swing ahead of last year’s Masters[/caption]
ReutersMcIlroy comes into the event with two PGA Tour wins already in 2025[/caption]
GettyTommy Fleetwood could challenge Scottie Scheffler at the Masters[/caption]
ReutersDefending champ Scheffler is eyeing a third green jacket[/caption]
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