- Rory McIlroy needs a win at the Masters to become the 6th golfer to win the men's career grand slam.
- Tiger Woods, a close friend of McIlroy's, says it will happen sooner rather than later.
Two players will garner the lion's share of the attention in the early rounds at Augusta National this week.
First is Tiger Woods, who is teeing it up for just the second time this season at the tournament, which he's won five times in his historic career.
The other is Rory McIlroy, who needs a win at the Masters to complete the career grand slam. Only five men in history have won the modern grand slam in their career: Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Gene Sarazen.
McIlroy has been playing hot of late, but he hasn't won a major since 2014, and has now been to nine straight Masters with a chance to complete the slam. Thus far, come up empty.
Still, Woods, who maintains a close relationship with McIlroy, has faith that the Northern Irishman will get it done.
At his press conference on Tuesday, Woods was asked what advice he'd give to McIlroy heading into the week to help him win the slam.
Woods blasted right past offering advice.
"He will. It's just a matter of time," Woods said. "Rory has the talent. He has the game. He has all the tools to win here. It's just a matter of time. "
Woods said that Augusta National offers some unique challenges, but he had faith McIlroy would get it done.
"A lot of things have to happen to win at this golf course. A lot of things have to go right. I think Rory has shown over the years he's learned how to play this golf course, and you just have to understand how to play it.
"He's been there. Last year he made a great run, put himself there. But I think that it's just a matter of time, whether it's this year or next or whenever it comes, he will get it done, and he will have a career Grand Slam. It's just what year it will be. It will definitely happen."
—Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) April 4, 2023
McIlroy will tee off on Thursday as one of the favorites to win the Masters.