Rory McIlroy makes feelings clear on Masters campaign as wait for elusive green jacket at Augusta goes on

Rory McIlroy makes feelings clear on Masters campaign as wait for elusive green jacket at Augusta goes on

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Rory McIlroy struggles at the Masters

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 14/04/2024

- 23:00

The Northern-Irishman struggled at the major this year

Rory McIlroy has admitted he feels he needs to improve on his game after struggling at this year's Masters.

The Northern-Irishman had gone into the tournament hoping to finally win the prestigious prize at the 16th time of asking.


Yet McIlroy never really got going at Augusta this year and finished four over on Sunday.

The 34-year-old has now opened up after a difficult time at the tournament - and admitted he has work to do if he's to finally get the green jacket he craves.

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has opened up on his struggles at the Masters with the 34-year-old yet to win a green jacket at Augusta

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"[It's taught me] I've still got a little work to do on my game," he said.

"This is an amazing golf tournament and I am super grateful to come back every year and compete.

"It hasn't been my year this year but I will keep coming back until it is my year.

"My game felt OK for the most part. I struggled a little on Friday and as the conditions have changed the golf course has gone so firm and tricky.

"If you lose a few shots early on, it is really hard to get them back."

On next month's US PGA Championship at Valhalla, where he won his last major in 2014, he added: "It feels like a lifetime ago.

"I am looking forward to going back. Any time you go back to a venue where you have had success, you get some good vibes.

"There is a little bit of golf before that.

"Next week I will play in the team event in New Orleans with Shane [Lowry] and then it's Quail Hollow.

"Hopefully I can use a few starts to get my game in better shape for it."

McIlroy remains one of the biggest names in golf, despite his struggles in Georgia over the years.

And he wasn't the only A-lister to struggle, with Tiger Woods enduring a frustrating time of things on Sunday.

The 48-year-old has been plagued by injuries over the years and is no longer one of the favourites for such a big event.

But Woods has insisted he's hoping to play in the three other majors left in 2024, despite the strain it puts on his body.

"I hoped I was going to shoot something in the 60s. I thought I had that in my system but unfortunately it didn't go that way," he said.

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Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has never won the Masters throughout his career

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"I think the rest of the majors [this year] is definitely doable for me.

"Hopefully my body will co-operate in the next three."

Woods also insisted he was happy with his performance overall, even though he finished bottom of the leaderboard - having made the cut for the final day.

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is refusing to give up on his Masters dream despite his struggles at Augusta this year

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“It was a good week. It was a good week all around," the five-time champion said.

“I think that coming in here, not having played a full tournament in a very long time, it was a good fight on Thursday and Friday.

"Unfortunately, yesterday it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to.”

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