McIlroy faces menacing test of mind over matter in quest for holy grail

World No 2's technical ability is not in doubt as he seeks a career grand slam - but psychology may hold the key

- Ewan Murray

The hardest walk at Augusta National is the one to the 1st tee. A venue and tournament that takes itself so seriously applies a heavy weight of expectation to competitors. This is totally phoney in a way, ridiculous in fact, but the Masters "thing" exists. Nobody feels that burden more acutely than Rory McIlroy, who this afternoon will begin his 11th attempt to march into the pantheon of golfing greats.

Psychology matters in McIlroy's quest to complete a career grand slam, not technical ability. It is the inches between McIlroy's ears that are far more significant than 7,500 yards of picture-perfect golf course. Augusta's great paradox is that beauty and splendour play such menacing tricks on the mind.

The theory of now or never in relation to McIlroy and the Masters is a prevalent one. He landed in Georgia with two wins in the calendar year, in itself a first. The 35-year-old won at Pebble Beach and Sawgrass while playing considerably short of his best, proof not only of his outrageous talent level but maturity. In a non-tribal environment, the foot traffic following McIlroy's every move this week has been quite the sight.

An added layer to the McIlroy story is that so many people want him to reach his holy grail. Perhaps only when - and it is, for now, fair to say when - he gets there will McIlroy expand on the scale of his torment since a painful capitulation in the Masters of 2011. The extent of veneration towards McIlroy in a Green Jacket promises to be as spectacular as the outpouring of emotion from the man himself.

More broadly, this sport would benefit from McIlroy glory. It has waited long enough for it.