• The Masters

McIlroy can laugh about Masters meltdown

ESPN staff
April 3, 2012
McIlroy capitulated in the final round of last year's Masters © Getty Images
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Rory McIlroy made light of the memory of his triple-bogey that saw him sacrifice the four-shot lead in the final round of last year's Masters on his return to Augusta National.

McIlroy had played exemplary golf for the first three days in Georgia as he closed in on a first major, but after a nervous start on Sunday his challenge unravelled after the turn.

The 22-year-old hooked his drive at the 10th and the ball ricocheted off the pine trees flanking the fairway before settling between a pair of white cabins.

The ball was so far from the hole, with the cabins separating the main course from the par-3 course, that McIlroy asked his caddie if it was out of bounds.

McIlroy never recovered as Charl Schwartzel claimed the Masters title, but the Northern Irishman bounced back to win the US Open two months later, dominating the event from start to finish to set a new tournament record.

Returning to Georgia in relaxed mood, McIlroy admitted he had experienced mixed emotions on his return to the 10th during practice.

"I can't believe how close the cabins are - they're only like 50 yards off the tee," said McIlroy. "I can't believe I didn't get it further!

"It's great to be able to laugh about it now. I played the hole a couple of different ways - took the driver, took the three-wood.

"It depends how firm it is. If it's firm you can take your three-wood down there and the slope will take it the rest of the hill, but if it's wet you might have to fly it all the way down on the flat.

"I haven't changed any gameplan from what happened last year. I'm just really excited to be back."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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