Rory McIlroy Is Your New Favorite To Win The Masters

It was an interesting moment when Rory McIlroy stood on the 72nd tee of The Players Championship last Sunday.

Trees right, huge lake left.

NBC analyst Paul Azinger was nearly screaming that Rory didn’t need to pull driver on the hole.

Without hesitation, Rory pulled that driver and showed off his incredible new weapon.  He hit a high, power-cut.  Direct center hit on the fairway.

Take that Zinger, sadly, the new NBC guy has been out of competition so long that he doesn’t understand the type of game guys like McIlroy plays these days.

Then Azinger was preaching “middle of the green” for McIlroy’s approach.

Seriously?

Rory hit a draw at the right side and it came in right over the flag, which was cut left, close to the water.

Under the heat, McIlroy showed closer’s grit.  He stayed aggressive, no back-off, sorry ‘Zinger.

Which brings us to that power-cut that McIlroy has added to his arsenal.  Can you think of another pretty good player who hit a power cut?

First one who comes to mind is the guy who won six times at The Masters — Jack Nicklaus.

Although many say it’s a draw-ball course for right-handers, a cutter for leftys, Nicklaus had more success there than anyone and he played left-to-right.

That drive McIlroy hit on the final hole Sunday looked like the perfect drive for the 18th at Augusta National — and a lot of other holes on that track as well.  It appears Rory’s done some nice work to eliminate the left side when he wants to.

Which brings us to the fact that it is now Rory, who’s been made the favorite with The Masters just 22 short days away.

Here’s how the Westgate Las Vegas Sports Book has ’em figured as of this week:

Rory McIlroy:        8/1

Dustin Johnson:   10/1

Justin Rose:           12/1

Tiger Woods:         12/1

Justin Thomas:     14/1

Jon Rahm:             16/1

Brooks Koepka:    18/1

Rickie Fowler:       18/1

Jordan Spieth:      20/1

Bryson DeChambeau:  20/1

Jason Day:                25/1

Tommy Fleetwood: 25/1

Bubba Watson:        30/1

Phil Mickelson:        30/1

Rory makes all the sense in the world, he was in the hunt going into the final round last year until he choked on that eagle putt at the second hole.

D.J. is the world’s No. 1, but he’s got a lot to prove at Augusta National.

It’s always fascinating that the odds-makers throw Tiger Woods right up there year-after-year even though Eldrick hasn’t slipped on the Green Jacket since 2005 — that’s a long time, folks.

Jon Rahm doesn’t make much sense at 16/1, his decision-making process under pressure hasn’t matured, evidence was his insane attempt to hit the green in two at the 11th last Sunday despite the common-sense plea from his caddie.

Jordan Spieth at 20/1?  They cannot be serious (can hear John McEnroe screaming that).

Now Brooks Koepka at 18/1?  Maybe the lads in Vegas forgot to check his record in the majors last year.  Granted, he couldn’t play in The Masters due to the wrist injury, but you’d think he’d get a little more respect than that.

Truth be known with the ongoing changes at Augusta National, you’d better be able to move it off the tee.  Wait until you see what they’ve done with the fourth hole for this year.

Eventually, something may change at 13.  Keep in mind they’ve purchased the land behind the tee box.  Just sayin’.

We’re already pulling out all our Masters stuff, including a spectator’s guide from the early ’70s.

It’s getting so close you can smell the flowers.

Rory sure can.