2017 Masters: Power Rankings for Augusta National
By Sam Belden
Rory McIlroy — 48th
McIlroy’s tie for 30th at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was his first lackluster finish since the calendar turned to 2017. Other than that, it’s been all top 10s, including a tie for seventh at the WGC-Mexico Championship and a tie for fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. We all know the lowlights of his history with Augusta National, which include his infamous final round collapse at the 2011 Masters, but he’s actually been quite good in recent years, finding the top 10 in each of the last three seasons. With his outstanding tee-to-green game, there’s no reason he can’t take the next step this time around.
He’ll have to fight off some long standing demons to do it, but it appears that McIlroy has a great chance to win his first Masters this week. He’s definitely a favorite, but outgunning Dustin Johnson will be a daunting task.