Rory McIlroy has been in fine form this season, but one golf expert believes he struggles to produce his best at the Masters due to one reason or another

Rory McIlroy is yet to win at the Masters (Image: Warren Little/R&A, R&A via Getty Images)

Brandel Chamblee has claimed that the Masters consistently brings out the worst in Rory McIlroy’s golf game.

As the first major of the year approaches at Augusta National Golf Club, many fans are hoping to see McIlroy continue his impressive form this season. The 35-year-old has already secured two PGA Tour wins in 2025, taking the top spot at the ATandT Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and the Players Championship last month.

However, broadcaster Chamblee believes that if past performances are any indication, McIlroy may struggle at the Masters. During an NBC conference call on Tuesday, Chamblee said: “To continue this Devil Wears Prada theme going a little bit further, I would say that Augusta National is the Miranda Priestly to Rory McIlroy’s Andrea Sachs. It is literally his nemesis.

“It brings out the worst golf in Rory annually that we see. It was his worst golf last year in the majors, his worst the year before, two years before that it was his worst golf. He annually underperforms there.

“He hits on average about 42 greens. On average, the winner hits about 52. There are things about that golf course that have been very problematic for him,” reports the Mirror US.

Nodding to the pressure of the prestigious outing, he added: “You can’t just act like this is any other golf tournament. It is not like any other golf tournament. For a lot of the golf world, it is the single most important four days they will have, so it’s not like every other golf tournament.

“But at the same time, you cannot allow yourself the luxury of looking ahead. Just look at the last six years, what Rory has done in the first round. The winner here averages sixth place after the first round. Rory has shot 71, 72, 73, 76, 75, 73 the last six years to begin the Masters. That’s mostly mental.”

Brandel Chamblee says that Augusta National is Rory McIlroy’s nemesis (Image: 2019 Chris Condon/PGA TOUR)
McIlroy, who boasts an impressive suite of titles with two PGA Championships, a US Open, and an Open Championship, still seeks his first Masters win – an omission that stands out in his otherwise illustrious career. As the Masters approaches, concerns are rising due to McIlroy’s own admission of a troubling elbow injury.

He recently told The Golf Channel: “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 OK going into Augusta. I’ve got my coach Michael Bannon coming in [on Monday], we’ll do some work and make sure everything is in good shape for a week’s time.”

Chasing a coveted Grand Slam, which would place him alongside legends Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Gene Sarazen, the pressure mounts for McIlroy. However, Phil Mickelson has faith in the star. Noting the expectations on McIlroy’s shoulders, Mickelson said: “That’s challenging, but he’s done it so many times in his ability to win tournaments. He’s been able to compartmentalize that. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue for him.”

Rory McIlroy has been in fine form this season (Image: Getty Images)
McIlroy’s history at the Masters shows seven top-ten finishes out of 16 appearances, as he finished last year tied for 22nd with a score of four over par. His closest brush with the green jacket came in 2022 when he finished second – a mere three strokes behind current World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

The prestigious tournament rolls out from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13, presenting another chance for McIlroy to achieve golfing immortality.