McIlroy poised to end major drought

Rory McIlroy sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole, shook his fist to the crowd and celebrated his first win of the season in thrilling fashion.

Despite leading by three shots heading into the final round at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy struggled around the greens, whereas Patrick Reed looked in inspiring form. The American even marched into a one-shot lead at one point after McIlroy bogeyed the 15th.

However, McIlroy fought back with three birdies. And after Reed birdied the 18th to tie the score at 18-under par, the Northern Irishman sealed the victory with a stunning 20-foot putt to clinch his third Desert Classic title. It was an enthralling final-round tussle, and the 33-year-old now enters the season in arguably the finest form we’ve seen him in for some time.

With two months to go before the players compete in the first major of the year at Augusta, it is impossible to ignore the likelihood that McIlroy will have his best shot at winning the coveted Masters title. After multiple near-misses at the Masters, including a second-place finish in 2022, it’s time for McIlroy to complete the career grand slam, especially after his most consistent year yet.

In 2022, he notched three wins, two runners-up, two top-3s and eight top-10s from 22 starts. A dream year for one of the greatest players of all time.

It is surprising that McIlroy, a dynamic all-around player, has yet to win in his last 30 attempts at majors, stretching back to August 2014.

He’s either started slowly or faltered at the finish, despite high finishes. Of those last 31 major attempts, he has finished runner-up twice, netted third and recorded 14 top-10s. All professional golfers dream of winning majors; whether you are 450th or number one ranked in the world, everyone wants to taste that ultimate glory. However, only some are lucky enough to experience that feeling and achieve their primary goal.

In 2023, the major venues will be favourable to the Holywood native and he will go into each event as the man to beat. The Open, for example, will be at Royal Liverpool, where he triumphed back in 2014. The Ulster man will take confidence from his recent success in Dubai and should he bag a few top-five finishes going into Augusta, the odds will keep crashing in his favour.

As each year passes, the pressure for McIlroy to win another major continues to mount. However, that pressure makes it all the more remarkable when a golfer of his quality can rise to the occasion.

This will be the year when McIlroy reigns supreme on the biggest stage of them all.