McIlroy is eager for redemption

Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga.

In the aftermath of his Masters meltdown, one phone call that meant the most to Rory McIlroy was from Greg Norman, the master of the Sunday collapse at Augusta National.

Norman had four good chances to slip on a green jacket, the most unforgettable in 1996 when he blew a six-shot lead to Nick Faldo. So the Shark could speak from experience, and the kid was more than willing to listen.

“I think it was great coming from him because he had sort of been in the same position in 1996 — well, ’96 where Faldo won, but I think ’86 as well, 1987,” McIlroy said, pausing to try to get the years right. “Sorry, I wasn’t born.”

It’s that kind of humor that has helped McIlroy move on — that and the U.S. Open title he won a few months later.

Still fresh this week for the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland is how he lost a four-shot lead in the final round. There was the tee shot on the 10th hole that bounced around the trees and landed behind the cabins left of the fairway — way left.

There was a three-putt on the 11th, a four-putt on the 12th and eventually an 80 on his scorecard.

“Obviously, the first time I played the back nine last week, there’s memories that come back and memories that you probably don’t want,” McIlroy said. “It’s fine. I got that all out of the way, and just looking forward to this week and … try to put myself in contention to try and win this thing.”

Norman’s first big opportunity was in 1986, the year he had the 54-hole lead at all four majors. He sent a 4-iron over the 18th green in the final round, and his bogey made Jack Nicklaus a Masters champion for the sixth time. Norman won the British Open that summer, spent the better part of the next decade at No. 1 in the world and became a perennial favorite at the majors.

That’s where McIlroy is now.

He won with a record score at Congressional for his first major. He rose to No. 1 in the world last month, though only for two weeks, when he won the Honda Classic. And, like Norman, he still doesn’t have a green jacket.

“It’s nice to be getting all this praise and everything, but you have to take it with a pinch of salt,” McIlroy said.