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Players that could break out in 2021: Rory McIlroy

By Christopher O'Day

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland stands on the 14th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland stands on the 14th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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We continue on with our series of players that could break out in 2021 by looking at Rory McIlroy.

Hold on. Don’t start yelling at me yet. Let me get to my point and reasoning behind what I mean when I say that Rory McIlroy is going to break out in 2021.

We all know that he is a world-class talent. In fact, many thought that he was going to be the next golfer to challenge the title of G.O.A.T. That Rory McIlroy would, at the end of his career, be able to sit alongside the pantheon with the likes of Tiger, Jack, Snead, Hogan, and a handful of others.

Somewhere along the way, he derailed a bit. Don’t get me wrong, he has still had quite the career. He has won 18 times on the PGA Tour, four of which were majors.

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He could’ve done so much more though, which is the case for many throughout history. Being Phil is never a bad thing, but being Tiger is better.

When it gets down to it, what I mean when I say that Rory McIlroy is going to have a break out year is that he is going to get back in the conversation for one of the best to do it. He has had some insane stretches over the last few years, from winning the Player of the year to eclipsing $50 in earnings, to long streaks of top finishes in events.

Still, you would think that he would have more wins and that he would have a few more majors. Especially when you consider that he hasn’t won one since 2014. If someone told you that Rory had gone 23 straight majors without winning one, you probably wouldn’t believe them. Yet that is where we are at.

I think we are going to see a breakout year from Rory. Multiple wins on Tour, pushing five when the end of the year rolls around. Winning not just one major, but strongly competing in the rest of them. Rory has been in the top 10 at 12 of his last 22 majors. Competing so well, and so close so often has to lead to success at some point. Well, further success.

There is plenty of talent coming up, and they have already shown that they can compete and win. Im, Wolff, Hovland, Morikawa, etc. This could be a turning point in Rory’s career where he shows that his best golf isn’t behind him and that it is, in fact, yet to come.

Just 31, he is nowhere near being past his prime. Take a look at DJ. He is looking to ascend his career to another level after his dominating win at this year’s Masters. Dustin Johnson is five years older than Rory. If you said that Rory, especially with the kind of shape and care he takes when it comes to his body, would be in his prime for ten more years, I wouldn’t argue with you.

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2021 is going to be a breakout year for Rory McIlroy. Multiple wins, and a major win to break the streak. Possibly, the best year of his career. He won four times including two majors in 2014. Rory is going to better that mark this year.