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Jack Nicklaus has backed Rory McIlroy to end his major drought and add a coveted green jacket to his wardrobe.

Nicklaus, 85, won 18 majors in his career and reckons the Northern Irishman can still win two or three more.

McIlroy is without a major title since winning the 2014 PGA Championship, and Nicklaus says his hopes rely on breaking a psychological barrier.

“You get yourself [in a position] where you haven’t won for a while and it’s difficult to get out,” he told Golf Channel.

“I still firmly believe that Rory will win The Masters, he’s just too good a player not to.

“I love Rory, he’s a great guy, as talented as any player out there and he’s got a lot more majors in him, he’s just got to get them out.”

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McIlroy won four in three years, starting with the US Open in 2011. But The Masters continues to elude the 35-year-old.

He has missed the cut at Augusta twice in the last four years, although has recorded seven top ten finishes in the last decade.

And Nicklaus adds that once McIlroy gets over the line, the floodgates could reopen.

“I don’t know what it’s going to take but he won those four pretty fast,” Nicklaus said.

“So, all of a sudden, he might break through and win a major. Then he’s probably going to win two or three more pretty quickly.”

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McIlroy, meanwhile, is pleased with the major rota in 2025.

Speaking to Sky Sports in December, McIlroy talked up his own chances of major glory, adding that he is familiar with the venues, including at The Open.

“I love that we’re playing the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in May, which is typically when we played the Wells Fargo,” he said.

“It’s when I know the golf course the best and sort of, I know that it’s going to play, you know, the characteristics.

“I think the one thing that probably won’t get enough credit, because I’ve not won the US Open [in 2024], is that I feel like I’ve become such a such a better player at US Open venues.

“[And] I can’t wait to go back to Portrush, because I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business there from last time.”


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John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.

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