Is Rory McIlroy the best European golfer of all time?

I suppose we better start this week at the top?

Yet again, Augusta National delivered us a thrilling four days of golf, there were lots of ups and downs and eventually, Rory McIlroy became only the fourth player in history - following Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods - to successfully defend his title here.

It’s a feat that shouldn’t be sniffed at, those three players on that list are three of the best to ever play this game, and now with his sixth major victory under his belt, Rory joins another elite group of golfers and surely can stake a claim at being the best European golfer of all time?

He didn’t make it easy, though, did he? 

The Rory McIlroy Experience at Augusta National

Although after the first two rounds and having set another record - in the shape of the biggest lead held after 36 holes - many thought that Rory would just ride off into the sunset and lap the field. But those hardy McIlroy fans amongst us knew it would be anything other than a stroll in the Georgia park. 

Indeed, Cam Young put up a great fight on Saturday, but never really got going in the final round on Sunday. Justin Rose flirted with us yet again at the Masters - but an untimely and unexpected three putt par on the par 5 13th seemed to suck all the momentum out of him. 

Rory gave us his usual wobble at the start of the final round, but steadied the ship and eventually was able to afford a bogey up the last to still win by one from Scottie Scheffler - who incidentally was the first man to go bogey free over the weekend at Augusta for quite some time. 

I do love the scenes at the end, regardless of the winner, but especially this time, with Rory’s mum, dad, wife and daughter all waiting to greet him on the back of the 18th. I do love what this game gives us. 

Feeling Inspired to Play Golf After The Masters

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news for me personally last week. 

The planned trip up to Scotland didn’t go ahead, for the first time I was unsuccessful in the ballot to play the Old Course so I pivoted and changed plans but still had some fantastic golf locally. 

Tuesday, I went up to Aldeburgh and played the new layout there. They have made some drastic changes to the front nine in particular and turned a very classic par 68 layout into a par 70 with the addition of two completely new holes and extended another to add two par 5s. I have written a full feature, which should go live soon, but I was extremely impressed with what they have done to the course. 

Wednesday ended up a beautiful day at Felixstowe and then Thursday, I ventured up to Woodbridge, another classic local heathland course that has made some changes - in particular with their bunkering. 

When I was two-under after two, I lipped out for birdie on the par 5 3rd, made a great up and down for par on the 4th and then left a birdie putt hanging over the hole on the 5th, I honestly thought I'd probably be teeing it up at Augusta myself in 2027. 

Then golf reminded me that this most definitely won’t be the case, as I only managed one par between the 6th and the end of the round. LOVE GOLF!

Now looking ahead. 

It's now less than three weeks until my first two big events of the season. I think I am happy with where my game is currently, my very Cam Young-esque pause feels ok, my short game is very tidy at the moment and to be honest, now I am just being patient waiting for a real good score to come in again. I'm still doing plenty of practice and trying to get as much course time in as possible, especially while the weather seems to be pretty decent. 

I also have a trip to Stoke Park coming next week for a media day that I am super excited about as it’s a course that I have been desperate to play for a number of years now - I just hope the M25 behaves itself on the drive. It probably won’t. 

That’s all for now, same time next week.