Is McIlroy the man to beat at the Masters Tournament?

With less than a month to go until the Masters tees off, the big question on everyone’s mind is: will this finally be the year that Rory McIlroy captures the elusive Green Jacket and completes his career Grand Slam?

The Northern Irishman has long been one of the game’s most consistent and talented players, but The Masters, the final hurdle in his quest for golf’s ultimate achievement, has proven to be a challenging mountain to climb.

This season, however, there are clear signs that McIlroy is in the form of his life and could be primed for Augusta National's greatest test. Coming into this year’s Masters, McIlroy has already accomplished something he’s never done before: winning twice before the tournament.

His triumphs at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship - where he triumphed in a play-off over JJ Spaun earlier this week - have given McIlroy a major confidence boost ahead of Augusta, and he’s now arguably the favourite to depart Magnolia Lane wearing a Green Jacket.

"Everything feels like it’s in good working order at the minute," McIlroy said after his latest victory. "Just keep practicing and doing the right things and practicing the right habits, and day after day, week after week, they all add up to days like today."

His two early PGA Tour wins mark a sharp contrast to previous seasons where he often found himself playing catch-up after a slow start. But the key difference this year is his continued focus on refining his game and building the necessary momentum to carry him through the pressure of the Masters.

Rory’s consistency in major tournaments since his last victory in 2014 is impressive, with 21 top 10 finishes, including a close runner-up finish at Augusta two years ago.

His patience, combined with a renewed sense of belief, could be the difference-maker this year. "I feel like I’m a better player now than I ever have been," said McIlroy after his win at The Players. I've worked really hard. I feel like I'm a way more complete player than I was a few years ago. I feel like I can play in all conditions and anything that comes my way.”

This shift in McIlroy's mindset is pivotal. For years, he battled with key moments, often stumbling under the highest pressure. Nowhere was that more evident than at last year’s U.S. Open, where a meltdown on the final holes cost him his first Major in a decade.

But after learning the hard way from those experiences, he's grown into a player who seems ready to handle whatever challenges come his way - especially at Augusta, where precision and calm under pressure are paramount.

While McIlroy's win at The Players Championship was another standout moment in his career, it wasn’t without its setbacks.

Just days earlier, he faced a dilemma with an equipment change at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, switching his clubs mid-tournament and costing him a few strokes. Yet, despite the early challenges, McIlroy showed his resilience by bouncing back with a playoff victory.

"Standing over that tee shot on 16 (first play-off hole) is the most nervous I’ve been in a long time," McIlroy admitted. "To have to go through that, it’s nice to have that in recent memory for some of the tournaments coming up."

His improved form in all aspects of the game - from better putting to greater ability to shape his shots - suggests McIlroy is now a more complete player than he has ever been.

"I’m a better putter. I’m better around the greens. I can flight my ball better in the wind," McIlroy shared.

“My ability to shape shots both ways. By no means did I have my best stuff this week, but I was still able to win one of the biggest tournaments in the world. That's a huge thing."

These attributes are essential for success at Augusta, where precision around the greens is crucial, and McIlroy’s recent performances suggest he’s ready to mount his most serious challenge yet.

With his confidence surging, McIlroy is also fully aware of the competition he faces. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, along with a host of other top players, will be in the mix at Augusta.

But McIlroy is undeterred, focused on continuing to fine-tune his game ahead of the tournament. "I'm certainly a proponent of if it's not broken, don't try to fix it,” he said. “Everything feels like it's in good working order at the minute.”

There’s no doubt that McIlroy’s form heading into the Masters is as strong as ever. He has the experience, skill, and mindset to finally overcome the ghosts of Augusta and claim that long-awaited Green Jacket.

You could argue it’s not just about completing the Grand Slam but proving to himself that all the years of hard work, setbacks, and perseverance were worth it.