2021 Masters: Top 10 power rankings for Augusta National

Jordan Spieth is the hot story this week. Dustin Johnson is the defending champion and world No. 1. Brooks Koepka is back from injury.

After that, Rory might be the next headline. He won’t go through Augusta unnoticed, especially with the career grand slam still waiting until he dons a green jacket.

As we know, McIlroy has come awfully close. The Northern Irishman has teed it up in 12 Masters, qualifying annually since 2009. His only missed cut was in 2010 and nine times has he wound up in the top 20.

The first close miss was in 2011 when a lead making the turn turned into despair and T-15th (65-69-70-80). McIlroy incredibly pulled off top-10s from 2014-18 and again in 2020 when he earned T-5th (75-66-67-69).

There’s almost always one round that does him in. Credit him for always fighting and stacking birdies, but it too often ends up fruitless.

That’s the case these days as the 32-year-old seeks his first win since November 2019. He does have five worldwide finishes in the top 16 in 2021.

McIlroy recently brought swing coach Pete Cowen into the fold.

“Pete and I have known each other since I was 13 years old, so it’s not as if this is a new relationship. Pete and I have known each other forever,” McIlroy was transcribed at the WGC-Match Play by ASAP Sports. “He’s worked with a lot of players that I’ve been close with over the years, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood. I just felt like it was a natural fit in terms of Pete knows my goal. He’s seen me grow up swinging the golf club.”

Cowen has a pretty solid reputation and this could go down as a good change for McIlroy. It could also take some time to manifest.

Chalk up McIlroy for another top 10 and a consolation trip to Denny’s for the Grand Slam he’s still looking for.