Rory McIlroy is a four-time major champion but the Green Jacket has so far eluded him in his career as he continues to chase the career grand slam at Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy still holds onto the dream of claiming his last major title at The Masters. However, Talor Gooch, the reigning champion of LIV Golf, believes that if McIlroy were to win this year, it would come with an asterisk.
While fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding narratives surrounding Tiger Woods’ fitness and Jon Rahm’s title defense, McIlroy’s pursuit of the career grand slam remains a focal point. The Masters stands as the one major title that has eluded the Northern Irishman thus far. McIlroy is hopeful that this year will be the year he finally secures the coveted Green Jacket.
Nevertheless, Gooch argues that the absence of top LIV Golf stars would diminish the significance of a victory for McIlroy. Despite being the reigning individual champion of LIV Golf in 2023, Gooch himself was not granted an invitation to The Masters.
Despite securing three victories on the previous year’s LIV Golf circuit, triumphing over renowned players such as Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson in the season-long points battle, Gooch will not be participating at Augusta. The American appears visibly disappointed by this development and has hinted that the 2024 Masters may be viewed with skepticism due to his absence.
Gooch expressed, “If Rory Mcllroy manages to achieve his Grand Slam without some of the top players in the world, there will inevitably be an asterisk attached to it. It’s just the way it is. I believe everyone benefits when major tournaments find a way to include the best players in the world.”
Gooch’s remarks, which come in defense of LIV Golf, are intriguing, especially considering that players like Rahm, Smith, Johnson, and DeChambeau will be competing at Augusta alongside Phil Mickelson, Joaquin Niemann, Adrian Meronk, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, and the newly signed Tyrrell Hatton.
Commissioner Greg Norman stated that despite the differences and rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, he would not hesitate to praise or congratulate McIlroy if he were to win the Masters. Norman, who finished as a runner-up at the prestigious tournament three times, understands the immense difficulty of succeeding at Augusta.
Norman emphasized his ability to remove emotion from every situation, including business and personal matters. He believes that bringing emotion into any aspect of life indicates a weakness in an individual. However, he did express empathy for McIlroy when he missed out on the Masters in 2011 due to a wayward tee shot on the 10th hole. Norman sent him a message of support, and McIlroy responded.
Norman’s approach to sportsmanship and humility is evident in his willingness to congratulate McIlroy if he were to achieve the grand slam by winning this year’s Masters. He believes that this is the essence of the game and how he would handle the situation.
The 2024 Masters is scheduled to take place from 11 April to 14 April.
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