Protecting Myself From Outside Interference – Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is one of the world’s most respected golfers when it comes to the prestigious Masters tournament. The Northern Irishman has been attempting to win a coveted Green Jacket for many years and he’s intent on using a “bubble” to help him stay focused. In speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland recently, McIlroy explains he’s determined to shut out the “outside noise” and keep a digital detox from distractions.

McIlroy has had an up and down relationship with Augusta National. He was in a position to win in 2011 when he had a 4-stroke advantage; however, he finished with a disappointing 8-over-80 and he lost his lead. It was a different story last year when McIlroy shot an impressive 8-under-64, resulting in a second-place finish after Scottie Scheffler.

The 33-year-old is in good form heading into the first major of 2021 with four wins since June, as well as a third-place finish at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Series. McIlroy will be playing alongside American Sam Burns and South Korea’s Tom Kim for the opening two rounds.

Although there have only been five athletes who have won the career Grand Slam (Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods), McIlroy is optimistic that he can join their ranks. Woods himself believes that it’s just a matter of time before McIlroy is the one to conquer Augusta, citing the Northern Irishman’s talent, game and tools as the reasons why.

Competition at Augusta is always steep, but with McIlroy’s preparation and determination to stay focused, his chances to win the Green Jacket this year are looking good. With the excitement building and the stakes high, McIlroy will inevitably feel a few more nerves than usual on the first tee. The world is excited to see if Rory will be the one to break the barriers of the career Grand Slam.

The company mentioned in this article is BBC Sport Northern Ireland, the regional branch of BBC Sports. BBC Sport Northern Ireland produces and broadcasts live sports coverage on the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It showcases the best local and international sports news, highlights, interviews and match coverage from major sporting events.

The person mentioned in this article is Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler is an American professional golfer currently playing on the PGA Tour. He made a splash in the golf world in 2020 with his victory in the Masters Tournament, his first major championship win. This was the first time he had ever made the cut at Augusta. Scheffler has since gone on to achieve two more top-10 finishes in the Masters.