Rory McIlroy is motivated to write a great story this year, and winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am speaks volumes for his ambition and quality. Well-known golf figures reacted to the great performance of the Northern Irishman, feeling that the Majors will be a huge challenge for him this year.
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The Sky Sports Golf podcast was an opportunity for David Howell to share his thoughts on McIlroy's chances at the Masters, stressing that the golfer is feeling the pressure. Although some are skeptical about whether the 35-year-old can "remove the curse", he seems to be well on his way to that end.
"That chip on his shoulder is never going to go away with The Masters until he wins it or ends his career, which is something that he lives with ahead of every April," David Howell told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. "That's Rory's great difficulty though, because here we are talking about it already."
Rory McIlroy's goals
The Northern Irish golfer started the season in a great rhythm. Howell noticed huge differences in McIlroy, making a comparison between his performances at the US Open and the one at the last tournament. It's as if the popular golfer entered the season with a different mindset.
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Howell is especially delighted because Rory is smiling again, looking motivated like never before. This could be the guarantee of his success this year.
"He's a wise boy and just look where he is now compared to where he was Sunday evening of the US Open, which was devastating for him when Bryson [DeChambeau] won and he let that one slip away.
He's smiling again. He's happy. He's content and he's swinging well. It always went by that last week there was no waggles, no practise back swings - he just hitting the ball just so beautifully from tee-to green."- he concluded.
