McIlroy Primed to Master Augusta

Great start to season and struggling rivals make him odds-on to complete Grand Slam

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AUGUSTA - Talk of Rory McIlroy winning the Masters has become an April tradition in the golf world, and the Northern Irishman ensured that chatter will continue at Augusta National this week after putting together his best-ever start to a PGA Tour season.

Given his talent, stature and course fit, McIlroy naturally commands attention at Augusta but 2025 does feel different as wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship gave him two PGA Tour titles before April for the first time in his storied career.

In addition to his confidence being sky-high, some experts feel that there are other things lining up in the 35-year-old's favour, including his main adversaries perhaps not being quite at the top of their game.

"The ones that are apt to give him his greatest challenge, you could say all are a little off their game and Rory has never been in a better spot going into the Masters," said Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee.