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McIlroy's simplicity and the curious case of Hovland
The Straits Times
|March 28, 2025
In this fickle sport called golf, the old saying that "different strokes for different folks" holds true when it comes to the pursuit of perfection and immortality.
Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, who share a combined 35 PGA Tour victories and four FedExCup titles between them, offer an interesting glimpse as to how the mind works for some of today's golf stars in their hunt for the most glittering prizes.
With spring in the air, which means the Masters is around the corner, McIlroy is once again eyeing the coveted Green Jacket.
The Masters has become his holy grail for over the past decade as he dreams of completing a career Grand Slam and joining an elite group comprising Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods - the only men to win all four Major championships.
A second victory at the Players Championship two weeks ago for his 28th Tour victory has no doubt amped up McIlroy's aspirations.
The Northern Irishman's game is peaking nicely and his confidence oozing, and this will also be the first time the world No. 2 will enter the Masters with two victories under his belt following a masterful win at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
The early-season success has been largely due to a new dimension that he has introduced into his game and approach.
This story is from the March 28, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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