Tiger Woods — 'Rory's too talented, too good not to complete Grand Slam’
Masters champion Tiger Woods of the United States speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the start of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Tiger Woods has reiterated his firm belief that Rory McIlroy will complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters at some point in his career.
The Holywood star will be making his tenth attempt to win the Masters this week and join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods by becoming just the sixth player to win all four Majors,
“No question, he'll do it at some point,” Woods said in his pre-tournament press conference.
"He's just -- Rory's too talented, too good. He's going to be playing this event for a very long time. He'll get it done. It's just a matter of when.
“But, yes, I think that Rory will be a great Masters champion one day, and it could be this week. You never know.
"I just think that just, again, the talent that he has, the way he plays game and the golf course fits his eye, it's just a matter of time.”
The five-time Masters champion’s comments were eerily similar to last year when McIlroy arrived at Augusta feeling more confident than ever of his chances and went on to miss the cut.
"A lot of things have to happen to win at this golf course,” Woods said at the time. “A lot of things have to go right. I think Rory has shown over the years he's learned how to play this golf course and you just have to understand how to play it.
"He's been there. Last year, he made a great run and put himself there. But whether it's this year or next or whenever it comes, he will get it done and he will have a career grand slam. It will definitely happen.”
As for Woods, the 15-time major champion has played just 24 holes this year but he insists he’s in Augusta to win again and match Jack Nicklaus with six Masters victories.
Asked if he was planning to take the Ryder Cup captaincy at Bethpage next year, Woods said: “It's something that Seth (Waugh, PGA of America CEO) and I are going to sit back and talk about it after this event. “I said I'm going to be busy for a couple of weeks, so let me focus on getting through this week and hopefully getting another jacket, and then we can sit back and talk about it next week.”
Woods remains physically challenged to walk and deal with the hills and uneven lies at Augusta but he has no plans to become an honorary starter just yet.
“No, I have not thought about being a starter here, no,” he said of press conference laughs.
Pressed on when the day might come when he feels he can’t win, he said: “Well, I still think they can. So I don't know when that day is, when that day comes, but I still think that I can. I haven't got to that point where I don't think I can’t.”
As for playing in pain, he added: “I ache. No, I ache every day. And I prefer it warm and humid and hot. And I know we're going to get some thunderstorms. So at least it will be hot. It won't be like last year.”
