SIR NICK FALDO, who has won The Masters three times, knows more about Augusta's challenges than anyone.
He is also among three men, along with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, who have successfully defended The Green Jacket.
McIlroy has received advice from Faldo on how to overcome his Masters hurdle
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McIlroy won six Majors but not The Masters.
SunSport's MARTIN LIPTON hears from the six-time Major winner why Rory McIlroy is struggling to win his first Augusta win and complete the Grand Slam. He also explains why Woods is so eager to make an incredible return.
SIR NICK ON RORY
Everyone assumed Rory would win the Masters some time in the future.
It hasn't happened yet, and it will soon.
Nearly eight years have passed since his last Major, which means that there is a lot of scar tissue to see when you tee it.
You have to believe in yourself. Rory must find his comfort zone, where he can be himself.
Rory is swinging with the driver beautifully, I'd say. It's amazing. He needs to stay motivated.
He's an emotionally driven guy and he can't help but hit a few too many short irons.
You can feel the spring in his step when he is playing well.
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That is what I want to see. He doesn't get down on himself or make excuses. If things don't go according to plan, he can still deal with them and get back up. That's what is important.
The eight- or nine-iron into The Masters green is all that matters. You need to hit those short irons perfectly. To keep it safe, you will need to move it slightly left or right of its flag.
However, we will likely have rain Tuesday and Wednesday so the course should be more manageable the first two days.
Rory or someone else might start screaming before the water runs dry.
Other players will get a lot of attention, Dustin Johnson, Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa. Woods, if he plays, might not be as much.
Rory could benefit from this. Rory could just sneak in, practice his moves, and come in under radar. He'd be able to say that he's ready to go and fulfill his obligations.
Faldo praised McIlroy's driving skills as of late
SIR NICK ON THE TIGER
It is amazing to think of Tiger playing in this week's tournament.
What is the best way to get from February last year, where he had a 50-50 chance losing his right leg?
We don't yet know what it means, but he went in for a practice round last week.
Tiger was testing the leg because it's one of the most difficult walks in golf. Even the most fit golfers can get shin splints from walking downhill for a week.
It would be amazing to get back from such a serious injury.
He might lose his foot and never walk again. We were told that he would need a cane to walk, but not to play golf again.
This man is one of very few on Earth who can harness that level of determination to achieve their goals.
He is an extraordinary person with such incredible determination. It's amazing.
He has had to overcome a mental and physical pain barrier that most people can't understand. It's a remarkable story that has made him a star in his field.
Woods seen at Augusta on a practice round ahead of a possible return
SIR NICK'S MASTERS MEMORIES
When I travel through airports, and I fly twice per week, I can honestly tell you that almost every week someone will approach me and tell me they saw Greg Norman's Masters in 1996.
It is great that they get all the facts right.
Many of them claim that this was what inspired them to start golf. It was a wonderful day for me.
1971 was the first time I saw The Masters and I was inspired by it to play.
I started playing well in 1989, but was failing to win a lot of tournaments.
After playing 27 holes, I led The Masters. Then, the 27th hole, I shot nine over.
Faldo has been a three-time Masters champion
That record is mine -- I shot 77 shots and then 65 -- for the highest third round shot of a winner. It's quite impressive.
HOARday was an incredible day. It was rainy and the course was still playing well. I was very good at putting and made a lot of putts.
It was a special moment. I can still recall the putt that Scott Hoch made to win the play-off.
I returned the following year to defend it, which turned out to be a great experience. In 1996, I was six years old and playing with Greg.
Just used the motivation that The Masters was the most frightening tournament we play because it's always at the same place every year, the only Major that does this, so we have all that history.
This is what increases the pressure on the back nine Sunday. There is a fine line between failure and success.
I knew I could get within three of my goal. This was my first goal, and I achieved it after nine holes.
Greg then made a mess with ten, eleven, and twelve and suddenly, I walked up to thirteen and thought, "I'm up to two, s**t -- now this is mine to lose!"
It was back then when I could really grind it out.
I was still able birdie 13 & 15, which is what you are meant to do, and I even birdied one of the last, which was pretty freaky. Because I am in a cool club, I'm proud to own three of them.
SIR NICK ON EUROPEANS AND BRITS
Tyrrell Hatton has played well. He is a great ball striker and does a lot of positive things.
We all know that he can easily lose his head. He can ensure that his head doesn't get in the way of his next shot.
Shane Lowry is a great Majors player. He is a great, confident player. He was a good player at the PGA at Valhalla. He is clever and plays well.
Victor Hovland is looking fantastic and pounding away, while Jon Rahm is the other European.
Tommy Fleetwood is also there but he hasn’t put himself under the same pressure at the weekend that you will feel when you are puffing and huffing.
SIR NICK'S TOUGHEST HOLLE
They are all tough, but the most difficult is probably the 12th, which is the par three over Rae’s Creek because it never gets easier.
The swirling wind is what you get. This means that you can think you have hit it perfectly but it ends up short or long. You don't want either.
The hole is where the players and even the caddies pray for the ball to land. Even if you hit the ball as well as you can, you are not 100% certain. It's all about getting it on the green.
Augusta's 12th hole is one of the most famous in golf.
SIR NICK ON WHY AUGUSTA IS SPECIAL
When you visit the area for the first time, you are truly in awe.
It's amazing. Continue on Magnolia Lane, passing the small clubhouse.
You look at the grass every day, even in 1979, the first time you went.
It covers 150 acres, and the grass is the exact same.
It's been 40 years since the first course was built and it is still in perfect condition. It even reaches perfection within the fence line.
The little cottages are located in the outer reaches of the course.
It's amazing. It is a very special place. You can play under the beautiful blue sky nine times out of ten. It is simply an amazing place.
Augusta is the perfect place to experience perfection. Playing is one thing, but you also see the course and the grass, the sand... It's all about the atmosphere.
When people arrive, the first thing that strikes them is the incredulity of the view from the top. It's truly special.
It's a great experience for the players because they are the only ones in the ropes. There is no media or photographers.
Everyone knows their place, and it's beautiful.
The Masters returns to Augusta Thursday, April 7.
SIR NICK TALKS ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES FOR WINNERS
You want your iron shots to look exactly how you intended.
You MUST hit a fade if you want to fade into the green. You're safe if it's a minor fade that is close to the green.
You can't attempt to hit a fade and then get it wrong and end up with a draw. It will land in the wrong spot and release to a worse place, either over the green or in water.
It's all about safety, and then it's distance control.
It is important to hit the ball at the right number so that the ball stays where it belongs.
You don't have to use flashy, extravagant stuff. Just good solid shots at the right places.
The greens are amazing so you need to add your own special touch.
The greens are not to be afraid. You can't fear the greens.
Accept that you will be at least four to six feet behind, so long as it is easy to read the way back.
They should practice on a wooden floor if they have one at home. I would practice in the kitchen on the marble.
You have to be so inner that you can feel your heartbeat, then you can feel the ball.
It is amazing to be able to just be there. It's impossible to be edgy. You want to go into a Zen mode.
TIPS FROM SIR NICK 2022 MASTERS
Scheffler is doing so well, has a great short game, and is a great putter.
Although he plays the draw every day, we have seen him block some draws even when under pressure. This is a new challenge for him, but we'll be watching to see if he can make it in the end.
Sam Burns is doing well, Will Zalatoris was doing well last week.
Johnson has returned to form after Morikawa went a bit quiet.
Brooks Koepka (23 years old) is also worth a look. He's showing positive signs.
Follow Sir Nick @faldo006.
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