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McIlroy Eyes Masters Victory Amidst Supercomputer Prediction
More than a decade since his last major championship triumph, Rory McIlroy is among the leading contenders at next week’s Masters Tournament. Despite never having secured the coveted green jacket, the Northern Irishman, with two tournament wins already this season, is considered a strong prospect to emerge victorious at Augusta National.
Supercomputer Favors Scheffler, McIlroy Still a Top Contender
McIlroy’s best performance at Augusta was in 2022, when he finished as runner-up, trailing Scottie Scheffler by three strokes. However, a supercomputer analysis suggests his wait for Masters glory may continue, forecasting Scheffler as the more probable champion.
The data-driven prediction, developed by analysts at Prime Casino, assigns Scheffler a 31.9 percent probability of claiming his third green jacket in four years. While this represents a significant advantage for Scheffler, the forecast indicates McIlroy remains a strong challenger, positioned as the second most likely winner.
The four-time major winner is given a 23.7 percent chance of victory, meaning that McIlroy and Scheffler together account for over half of the predicted win probability. Furthermore, even if he doesn’t clinch the title, McIlroy is still expected to perform strongly, with a 44.3 percent chance of finishing within the top 10.
Elbow Concerns and Driver Focus for McIlroy Ahead of Augusta
Adding to the challenge of the supercomputer’s forecast, McIlroy is also managing a minor injury as he prepares for the Masters in Georgia. Following a solid T5 finish at the Houston Open, McIlroy disclosed to the Golf Channel, “My right elbow has been bothering me slightly, so I’ll seek some treatment to ensure it’s ready for Augusta. My coach, Michael Bannon, is arriving [on Monday], and we’ll work to ensure everything is in optimal condition for next week.”
Refining Game for Masters Week
Reflecting on his recent play, the Masters hopeful commented, “I wanted to improve my driving, which hasn’t quite materialized. This course is so expansive that it tempts you to just swing hard, diminishing the importance of accuracy this week.”
“In terms of short game, specifically chipping, I aimed for improvement. I felt somewhat hesitant with chips at Sawgrass, but my chipping felt much better this week. My scrambling has been effective, which is encouraging. I still believe I need to refine my tee shots and resolve some issues with the driver.”