Rory: It's better to have loved & lost...

RORY MCILROY has claimed that he no longer fears having his heart broken at the Masters.

- Mc LEMAN

The world No.2 (left) has had an unrequited love affair with Augusta National since losing a four-shot lead here in 2011.

After winning The Players last month, the Ulsterman claimed: "You have to be willing to get your heart broken" and admitted he spent years fearing failure.

And yesterday, speaking before his 17th appearance here -and his 11th bid to complete his career Grand Slam - Mcllroy revealed he is now ready to be "vulnerable" in pursuit of history.

"I think it as a self-preservation mechanism," he explained.