Johnson Wagner believes that Rory McIlroy is in danger of making a decision that will cost him the chance to retain his title at The Masters next month.
It is going to be fascinating to see how McIlroy handles his return to Augusta National. His victory last year provided one of golf’s most iconic images as he collapsed to his knees after sinking the winning putt.
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McIlroy will probably have never felt less pressure driving down Magnolia Lane than he will this year. But of course, he will still be desperate to win and add to his tally of five major championships.
Johnson Wagner questions what Rory McIlroy has done ahead of The Masters
His form on the PGA Tour this season certainly suggests that the 36-year-old could be in the mix to triumph at The Masters.
Unfortunately, Johnson Wagner fears that McIlroy may have hurt his chances of victory at the first major of the year.
Speaking on CBS Sports before McIlroy confirmed that his next start will be at The Masters, Wagner suggested that the Northern Irishman really needs to get another tournament under his belt.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
“He needs to play Houston. When you think about having three weeks off of competitive golf leading into The Masters, there’s no way you can practice at home that can compare to getting competitive starts,” he said.
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“You look at Houston, Memorial Park, big golf course, he can go out there and work on any shot shape he wants to off the tee. He can practice the tee ball on nine at Augusta. He can practice all the shots he’s going to need. It doesn’t even matter how he plays, just go and play. Show up on Wednesday, play the pro-am, have some fun and be loose. I think he needs to, if he wants to be a contender at Augusta and defend his title, he needs to play in Houston.”
Rory McIlroy looking to become only the fourth player to retain his Masters title
McIlroy joined an incredibly exclusive club as he became the sixth man to complete the Career Grand Slam at last year’s Masters.
But he goes into this year’s event looking to achieve something that only three other players have managed over the history of the Augusta National.
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Jack Nicklaus became the first player to retain his Masters title with his victory in 1966 as he won an 18-hole playoff with Tommy Jacobs and Gay Brewer.
It would be more than two decades before another player would win at Augusta National in successive years. In 1990, Sir Nick Faldo beat Raymond Floyd on the second playoff hole.
And in 2002, Tiger Woods retained his title with a three-shot victory.
So McIlroy is the latest name with a chance to join Nicklaus, Faldo, and Woods this year.
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