Rory McIlroy came undone in opening round of Masters despite Jack Nicklaus’ warning

New York Post - Apr 11th, 2025

Rory McIlroy's pursuit of his first Masters green jacket and career Grand Slam hit a major bump during the opening round at Augusta National. After a promising start, sitting at 4-under par through 14 holes, McIlroy's game unraveled in the final stretch. Two double bogeys in the last four holes, on Nos. 15 and 17, led him to finish the round at even par, seven shots behind the leader, Justin Rose. This performance is particularly concerning as past champions have not had more than one double bogey throughout the entire tournament, and McIlroy carded two in just three holes. Visibly shaken, McIlroy declined to speak to the media after the round, despite having recently commented on the trend of players opting out of interviews.

Jack Nicklaus, a six-time Masters winner and mentor to McIlroy, had discussed strategy with him just a week before the tournament. Nicklaus emphasized the importance of discipline, something he believes McIlroy has struggled with, despite his undeniable talent. The double bogey on No. 15, which Nicklaus had warned about, marked the beginning of McIlroy's slide. This development highlights the ongoing challenges McIlroy faces at Augusta and raises questions about whether he can overcome these hurdles to secure the elusive Masters title, which remains the missing piece in his otherwise illustrious career.

Rory Mc Ilroy Golf Augusta National Masters Tournament Jack Nicklaus Justin Rose

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed account of Rory McIlroy's performance during the opening round of the Masters, emphasizing his promising start and subsequent struggles. It is accurate in its reporting of the events and includes insights from Jack Nicklaus, adding depth to the narrative. However, the article could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and greater transparency regarding its sources and methodologies. While it effectively engages readers interested in golf, its impact is likely limited to sports fans. Overall, the article is clear and timely, addressing topics of public interest, but it could enhance its balance and source quality to provide a more comprehensive view.

Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate account of Rory McIlroy's performance during the opening round of the Masters. It correctly reports that McIlroy was 4-under par through 14 holes and subsequently fell to even par after two double bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes. The claim that no past Masters champion has had more than one double bogey throughout the tournament is consistent with historical data, though it would benefit from citation of specific historical records. The story accurately reflects Jack Nicklaus's comments about McIlroy's strategy and his need for discipline. However, the assertion that McIlroy was 'clearly rattled' is more interpretative and lacks direct quotes or corroboration from McIlroy or those close to him.

Balance

The article focuses predominantly on Rory McIlroy's performance and Jack Nicklaus's perspective, which provides a detailed view of McIlroy's challenges and potential. However, it lacks input from other players, commentators, or analysts who might offer additional perspectives on McIlroy's performance or the broader context of the tournament. The mention of McIlroy's comments on media obligations adds some balance by presenting his viewpoint on player-media interactions, though it could further explore contrasting opinions from other players or PGA officials.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the sequence of events during McIlroy's round. It uses straightforward language and provides a logical flow from McIlroy's initial strong performance to his later struggles. The inclusion of Nicklaus's advice and McIlroy's media comments adds depth without overwhelming the main narrative. However, the interpretative language describing McIlroy as 'rattled' could be more clearly supported with evidence.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on direct observations of the tournament and quotes from Jack Nicklaus, a credible and authoritative figure in golf. However, it does not cite other sources or provide direct quotes from McIlroy or other players, which could enhance the depth and reliability of the reporting. The lack of diverse sources limits the article's ability to provide a comprehensive view of the situation.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose its sources or methodologies, such as how it obtained Nicklaus's comments or details about McIlroy's performance. While it provides some context about McIlroy's past performances and Nicklaus's advice, it lacks transparency regarding the basis for certain claims, like the historical data on double bogeys. Greater disclosure of how information was gathered would enhance the article's transparency.