{"id":1250483,"date":"2024-04-08T21:30:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-08T21:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/nick-faldo-believes-rory-mcilroy-has-at-least-another-decade-of-masters-chances\/"},"modified":"2024-04-09T14:39:55","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T14:39:55","slug":"nick-faldo-believes-rory-mcilroy-has-at-least-another-decade-of-masters-chances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/nick-faldo-believes-rory-mcilroy-has-at-least-another-decade-of-masters-chances\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Faldo believes Rory McIlroy can still win the Masters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sir Nick Faldo believes Rory McIlroy has at least another tren years of opportunities to win the Masters, despite his previous failures.<\/p>\n

McIlroy<\/span><\/strong><\/a> famously squandered a four-shot lead in the final round in 2011 and has recorded six top 10s at Augusta National since victory in the 2014 Open left him needing a green jacket to complete a career grand slam.<\/p>\n

The world number two finished second behind Scottie Scheffler in 2022 thanks to a thrilling final round of 64 and is second favourite behind the same player this week after finishing third in the Texas Open on Sunday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Rory
Rory McIlroy and fans react to his shot from the rough on the eighth hole during the third round of the Texas Open (Eric Gay\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Asked if McIlroy, who will turn 35 next month, was running out of chances to win the Masters, Faldo said: \u201cI disagree.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe game has changed. We have brought the physical element in and we understand the physical side.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was always 30-35 when you were in your prime and he is still in his prime. They are so fit and trained now so he has got at least another 10 years I would say of being supersonically fit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still think the problem is times gone by. We are nearly 10 years now since his last major. That is the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately it\u2019s just going on, time after time. It\u2019s not just this season. There\u2019s four or five or six years of scar tissue now, of Rory coming in as favourite, playing great.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has tried his best at times. \u2018Can I re-set, can I literally forget the past, who I am? Look how talented I am and go and play golf again\u2019. It is not that easy. Can you turn back the clock? Can you delete all the negativity that you have seen and felt?<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there is a way where he could find his stride because, as we know, when he finds that stride and gets that trust, then he is phenomenal. I bet that is all he wants to do \u2013 just set me free.\u201d<\/p>\n

To achieve that goal Faldo believes McIlroy has done the right thing by stepping down from his role on the PGA Tour\u2019s policy board after almost two years of being the most prominent figure in the Tour\u2019s fight with LIV Golf.<\/p>\n

But the six-time major winner remains incredulous that McIlroy agreed to conduct a live \u201cwalk and talk\u201d interview during the first round of last year\u2019s Masters, an event in which he went on to miss the cut.<\/p>\n