Rory McIlroy is aiming to land a first Masters title this weekend when he heads to Augusta and the commentator is already planning his line should the Northern Irishman triumph
Rory McIlroy is targeting a first Masters triumph
Veteran sports commentator Jim Nantz has suggested he will say “Glory for Rory” if Rory McIlroy can finally claim his first Masters title this weekend. The Northern Irishman is looking up to break his long-standing major championship drought and claim the Green Jacket he so craves.
McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014 and the only major missing from his CV is The Masters. He’s claimed the US Open, The Open and twice triumphed in the US PGA Championship, but has never finished top of the pile on the greens of Augusta.
This weekend he will head down Magnolia Lane as one of the favourites. He recently claimed the Players’ Championship to underline his form heading into the Masters and the man who will be leading the coverage is preparing for a Northern Irish victory.
Nantz was on the Dan Patrick Show and was a fan of Patrick’s phrase “Glory for Rory” – suggesting that those just might be the words he uses should McIlroy complete the career slam at the 18th hole at Augusta.
He said: “That’s not bad… I’m gonna tell you right now, glory for Rory, if he wins next week, it may not be the final putt call, but it will be said somewhere from the end of the competition to when we sign off the air. Glory for Rory, I will be channeling you Dan at the moment, you have my word right now, if McIlroy wins, I’m gonna say something about glory for Rory.”
McIlroy has previously endured heartbreak around Augusta National. Back in 2011 he went into the final round as the leader but carded a round of 80 – which is eight over par – to eventually finish in a tie for 15th. 2022 remains his best finish, when he came second after a final round of eight under.
On that occasion it was Scottie Scheffler who beat him – the American has already claimed two Green Jackets in his career. Nick Faldo, one of the few English winner at Augusta, claims McIlroy has had stellar preparation and needs to focus on downing Scheffler if he wants to win.
CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz is one of the most iconic voices in American sport
The three-time Masters champion told PA: “He has had ideal preparation. Physically and technically he is really good. It is all down to the mental strength, dealing with the past. What’s your approach this year?
“I would be saying to myself, ‘I am the best player in the world when I am on. I am the best’. You have to be completely focused on everything. You know if you can do that, you are already beating 95 per cent of the field there. I know I went to majors and thought, ‘If I can beat him, him and him’…. and if you can get it down to one (even better).
“When Greg (Norman) was world number one and I went to St Andrews (for the 1990 Open) I was thinking, ‘If I can beat Greg, that’s it. That’s the one to beat’. Rory might in the same boat with Scottie Scheffler .”
