1 week Ago By Andrew Gamble,Maria Leticia Gomes
Jim 'Bones' MacKay, the former caddie for Phil Mickelson , is throwing his support behind Rory McIlroy to break his major title drought and secure the elusive career Grand Slam at the Masters. MacKay, who has a storied history with Augusta National, helped guide Mickelson to three Masters victories during their partnership. The LIV Golf icon, set to play in 2025, once displayed his true character in the Augusta parking lot after a Masters triumph, a moment MacKay fondly remembers.
Although he didn't attend the Georgia event last year following his departure from Justin Thomas, MacKay now serves as an NBC analyst and is championing McIlroy's quest for glory. The Northern Irishman, coming off two PGA Tour wins, is currently six-under par through two rounds, thanks to an impressive performance on Friday. NASCAR mourns second death on same day as legendary reporter passes away Danica Patrick's golf outfit while sending drive down fairway before Masters Speaking to Fox News Digital, MacKay expressed his views: "I think Scottie Scheffler's the favorite, but no question Rory McIlroy is the sentimental favorite," he said.
"You would hate to see a guy like Rory play his entire career and not win the Masters and reap the benefits of the champions dinner and having that green jacket. "He's too good a guy and has done too much to the game for that not to happen. As much as Scottie is the betting favorite, I secretly will be rooting for Rory to have a good week", reports the Mirror US.
Early in his career, Rory McIlroy secured four major titles and seemed on track to bag the much-coveted green jacket in 2012. Yet, a harrowing final round of 81 derailed those hopes, something that Mackay fears might haunt the now 35 year old golfer. Mackay observed that the treacherous grounds of Augusta National have a way of playing mind games with golfers, noting: "At Augusta National, it can certainly get in your head a little bit.
"It's so much easier to win the tournament a second and third time than it is the first time," he said. He added, reflecting on Scottie Scheffler's success, "Scottie [Scheffler] is always going to have that green jacket. He's always going to come back to the Tuesday night dinner, and Rory desperately wants to be a part of that.
" Commenting further, Mackay underscored that while McIlroy's technique is ideal for Augusta National's course, winning there is more about mental stamina than physical prowess. DON'T MISS Tiger Woods absence felt at Masters amid Scottie Scheffler comparison Worst Masters scores in history as American youngster endures Augusta nightmare Broadcaster reveals how Tom Watson's letter to CBS l McIlroy recently came excruciatingly close to breaking his major title fast at the 2024 U.S.
Open, but his contention was thwarted by two narrowly missed putts during the closing stages—allowing Bryson DeChambeau to capture the crown. Nevertheless, paired with Ludvig Aberg and Akshay Bhatia, McIlroy made a spectacular climb up the leaderboards after an underwhelming first round. Lightning up the back nine, McIlroy notched consecutive birdies on the par-four 10th and 11th holes, coupled with an eagle on the par-five 13th, followed by yet another birdie on the par-five 15th.
Come Saturday, all eyes will be on McIlroy as he steps onto the legendary greens at Augusta National for his third round..
