GOLF US MASTERS

SIR NICK FALDO has urged Rory Mcllroy to tell himself, 'I am the best player in the world' and finally end his Masters agony.

- BY NEIL MCLEMAN

Three-time Green Jacket winner Faldo claims McIlroy is at "the peak of his powers" physically and technically. But he said the Northern Irishman's "mental strength" - and his approach to the first Major of the season, starting on Thursday - will determine whether he can defy his Augusta curse and take the Green Jacket this year.

The world No.2 has already won twice on the PGA Tour this season.

None of his biggest rivals at Augusta National - world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Open champion Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa or Jon Rahm - has yet landed a title in 2025.

But McIlroy, 35, will again carry to the idyllic corner of south-east Georgia the twin burdens of his long Major drought and the pressure of completing his career Grand Slam.

It will be his 17th attempt to win the Masters, and his 11th bid to join the career Grand Slam club.

Last year, he played the week before Augusta at the Valero Texas Open, seeking a first win of the campaign, and flew to Las Vegas to get a four-hour lesson from Butch Harmon.