McIlroy at the Masters: How has Rory fared at Augusta?

It’s the biggest prize he’s yet to win, but can Rory McIlroy finally claim a Masters title at Augusta next week?

The Northern Irishman is 7/1 third favourite for what is set to be an ultra-competitive four days of golf in Georgia.

But while the 27-year-old can call on two PGA Championships, an Open Championship and the U.S Open, he has endured much trickier times at the Masters.

It started pretty well back in 2009, as Rory finished an impressive 20th in what was only his second appearance at a Major – and his first as a professional.

That weekend eight years ago  wasn’t without its struggles though, and arguably set the tone for the years to come.

Sitting in a sensational sixth reaching the end of his second round, McIlroy was caught kicking the sand in the bunker by the 18th green.

Four hours after completing his round, he faced disqualification. But after much deliberation the course officials chose not to penalise the then 19-year-old.

A year later, McIlroy, now with a T3 under his belt at the PGA, found that Augusta really could bite hard, as he carded a 74 and 77 to widely miss the cut.

But all this would prove nothing to the infamous collapse of 2011.

The Northern Irishman exploded out of the blocks with a 65 on Day One, and lead throughout the weekend.

Even half-way around the final day, McIlroy was sitting pretty at -11, with just nine holes to play.

But then it all went oh so wrong. A triple bogey on the par-4 10th was followed by another dropped shot on 11 and a double bogey on 12.

Five pars in the last six holes couldn’t stem the tide, and Rory’s final round of 80 saw him finish a whopping 10 shots off the pace.

Things didn’t improve in 2012 either. Sitting well-placed in third after two rounds, a 77 and 76 saw McIlroy fade to T40.

A similar story befell the Holywood native in 2013 too, where a dismal 79 on day three did for his weekend.

A second day 77 hindered his efforts three years ago, although he still finished eighth, while his fourth place finish in 2015 is by far his best complete weekend at Augusta.

But last year saw Rory come unstuck again on day three, where a 77 left him in tenth by the weekend’s completion.

So which Rory will turn up this weekend? The one who has posted seven Masters rounds of 69 or better since 2011? Or the one who has hit five rounds of 77 or worse in the same time?

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing