Masters Sunday Reckoning
“Stay in my bubble” sounds like playing not to screw up. Not the thinking and words of someone wanting to go out and dominate the match. Rory said it not in passing after yesterday’s round but multiple times talking himself into believing it.
What can we imagine Arnold Palmer’s self talk was on Sunday at Cherry Hill? Probably more like “I’m going to beat these guys and win this thing, or die trying.”
Belief cannot be feigned. That’s what makes having it feel like an irresistible force - not just to you but to all those around you; friend and foe alike. Think General Washington rallying his amateur soldiers to row across a frozen Delaware River in the middle of the night for hand-to-hand combat with notoriously vicious Hessian troops. That’s belief!
Has Mr McIlroy found a way to believe? On this Masters Sunday that question will be answered.
Today may very well work out for Rory but it’s not even close to a sure thing. More importantly, “a win” is not the same as “WINNING”. Best case for Rory is he gets behind early from strong Bryson start forcing him to switch into male warrior mode.
Winning the career grand slam in warrior mode would be the memory he, we all, seek.
Bryson instinctively understands this and therefore has the advantage emotionally & mentally. We’ll see if B.A.D.’s experience and all around game are ready to win The Masters stage.