Opinion: This is Rory McIlroy’s year to win his first Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy turns 30 in less than a month, so if he's going to complete the career Grand Slam in his 20s, now is the time.

He’s at the top of his game, he has a healthy new attitude and he says he is “very comfortable” playing Augusta National for the 11th consecutive year. In addition to a victory at The Players, he has had a great run of top-six finishes in his five other stroke-play events this season.

Ignore his loss to Tiger Woods in the WGC-Match Play. This is Rory’s year.

“It's been a wonderful start to the season,” McIlroy said Tuesday in his pre-tournament news conference. “I don't think I've ever started a season this well in terms of finishes, and even stats‑wise, looking at all my stats, they are right up there with some of the best years that I've had.”

McIlroy has had top-10 finishes in each of his last five Masters: tied for 8th, 4th, tied for 10th, tied for 7th and tied for 5th last year.

Rory McIlroy is competing in his 11th Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports)

“I'm very comfortable with this golf course,” he said. “I think it takes awhile to get comfortable on this golf course and the surroundings. But I've got that comfort level now. … I know I've played well enough and I've shot enough good scores around here over the years that if I can put my best effort forward, I'm going to have a good chance to do well here.”

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This will be McIlroy’s fifth attempt to become just the sixth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam. He won the U.S. Open in 2011, the PGA in 2012 and the British Open and PGA in 2014.

In many ways, he has always seemed built to win here.

“I think one of the great things about this course is it forces you to be creative and I like that side of the game,” he said. “I like to see shots. I like to visualize. The massive tall pines, the contrast between the green grass and the white bunkers, the yellow flag sticks — there are so many things to look at and be aware of and it paints a picture for you. I think that's one of the great things about Augusta National is you can't help but be creative and see things.”

Including, finally, a victory come Sunday.

Follow Christine Brennan on Twitter at @cbrennansports

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