Just when you thought the US Masters couldn’t get any better, up pops Rory McIlroy again to deliver a great post script to the day’s proceedings.
The battle for the green jacket was already intensifying when Rory suddenly emerged from a round that was going not too well to finish with three birdies which were good enough to give him a four-shot lead with one round to play.
Weeks get no better than this and no matter what happens today this will have been one of the greatest in ISM’s history in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory will become only the 10th wire to wire winner if he wins his first grand slam title and if he continues playing the way he is, he will take some beating. The celebration of the unbelievable putt he holed on 17 showed just what it would mean for him to become our second major winner inside a year after waiting 20 years for the first.
Rory punched the air in delight and I doubt that either Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson would have induced a greater cheer from an enthralled gallery. The 21-year-old Ulserman has been the story of this Masters from start to three quarters of the way through.
And now he stands on the threshold of one of his biggest dreams. It’s going to be a wonderful experience and whatever happens, Rory will emerge a bigger and better player.
Among those trying to spoil Rory’s big day will be ISM colleague Charl Schwartzel, who is hoping to emulate his good friend Louis Oosthuizen and become a major winner.
Charl is among those four back and I’m sure he will have a very strong finish and become Rory’s biggest challenger.
As for world number two Lee Westwood, his chances are those of an outsider after a 74 dented his hopes while our other cut qualifier, Ernie Els, will be looking for a good last round to give him confidence for all the other big events to come this summer.
The ISM house has been a very popular meeting place this week and hopefully tonight we will be having the party to end all parties.
Whatever happens today in Georgia, ISM already have one winner this weekend. Congratulations to Anirban Lahiri for his fantastic success in the Panasonic Open (India).
