Billy Horschel has echoed Tiger Woods’ sentiment regarding Rory McIlroy’s chances of finally securing a victory at the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam. McIlroy won his four major titles between 2011 and 2014, clinching The Open, the U.S. Open, and two PGA Championships, with his last major win coming at Valhalla Golf Club just over a decade ago. However, the elusive Masters title has continued to slip through his fingers, with McIlroy having failed to win at Augusta National in 16 attempts.
At 35, the absence of the green jacket remains a major talking point for McIlroy, but Horschel believes it’s only a matter of time before the Northern Irishman finally claims it. “I hope so, for Rory’s sake,” Horschel said when discussing McIlroy’s chances of completing the Grand Slam. “I know no one deserves anything in this game, but when you look at what Rory has achieved in golf, he deserves to win the Grand Slam. Of course, you could say the same about Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and even Phil Mickelson, but it would be incredible to see someone like Rory achieve that feat.”
Horschel, who narrowly beat McIlroy in a playoff at last month’s BMW PGA Championship, added, “I’ve seen Tiger [Woods] reach such a milestone, but seeing someone I know well and admire like Rory do it would be unbelievable.”
Horschel isn’t the only one optimistic about McIlroy’s chances. Woods, who is both a friend and business partner of McIlroy, expressed a similar opinion earlier this year at the Masters. “No question, he’ll do it at some point,” Woods said in April. “Rory’s too talented, too good. He’ll be playing this event for a long time, and he’ll get it done. It’s just a matter of when.”
Woods further added that the Masters is a good fit for McIlroy, saying, “The talent he has, the way he plays, and the way the course suits him, it’s just a matter of time.”
McIlroy was understandably flattered by Woods’ praise. “It’s flattering. It’s nice to hear, in my opinion, the best player ever to play the game say something like that. Does it mean it’s going to happen? No. But he’s been around the game long enough to know I have the potential to do it. I know I’ve got the potential, too. I’ve been a pretty good player for the last couple of decades. It’s just nice to hear it from him.”