‘It’s been bothering me’ – Rory McIlroy gives fans major health scare as he faces treatment just days away from Masters
RORY MCILROY’S chances of finally ending his 11-year wait for a career Grand Slam could be hampered by injury.
McIlroy, 35, has revealed he is suffering with an elbow injury in the week before The Masters, casting doubt over his chances of finally donning the Green Jacket for the first time.
McIlroy is amongst the favourites to win in Augusta next week after winning The Players Championship earlier this month and securing a top five finish at the Houston Open last week.
But the Northern Irishman has caused concern for his chances in an interview with NBC Sports yesterday, explaining he is facing treatment on an elbow issue prior to The Masters.
Asked on his preparations ahead of teeing up at Augusta National on April 10, McIlroy said: “I think [I’ll be] just working on a few thing.
“My right elbow has been bothering me a little bit so I’ll maybe just get some treatment on that and make sure that is okay going into Augusta.
“I’ve got my coach Michael Bannon coming in tomorrow [Monday], we’ll do some work and make sure everything is in good shape for a week’s time.”
McIlroy has already won two events on the PGA Tour this season.
But the world No.2 has admitted that he still doesn’t feel completely on top of his game.
“I still feel like I’ve got some stuff to work on,” McIlroy told reporters.
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“Still don’t think like my game is absolutely 100 per cent under the control I would want but it’s nice to have a week to work on some things.”
McIlroy has been waiting to slip into a Green Jacket for 11 years, hoping to finally become the sixth golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods on the illustrious list.
However, the Georgia tournament has always evaded him.
McIlroy has managed four top five finishes at the Masters, putting together a career-best second placed effort in the 2022 edition.
While he looked like he was set to win the tournament back in 2011, when he led by four shots heading into the final day, only to shoot a Sunday 80 and slip back to 15th place – some ten shots off eventual winner Charl Schwartzel.
The last two years have been hard for McIlroy too, with the Ryder Cup hero missing the cut in 2023 and finishing T22 last year.
Despite that, his recent form has him amongst the favourites to earn the £2.8MILLION top prize, alongside the like of Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Ludvig Aberg.