Rory McIlroy had a tough day on the course during the opening round of the 2025 Masters, experiencing a late collapse that saw him plummet down the leaderboard. After a strong start, McIlroy’s round took a turn for the worse with a chip into the water and two double bogeys. Former European Ryder Cup captain and golf TV analyst Paul McGinley pointed to slow play by playing partner Akshay Bhatia as the cause of McIlroy’s loss of concentration.
McGinley argued that Bhatia’s slow play on the 15th hole, where he took multiple practice swings and delayed McIlroy’s shot, ultimately led to Rory’s downfall. Despite waiting for several minutes to play his shot, McIlroy was unable to maintain his focus and ended up with a double bogey on the hole. McGinley emphasized that great champions like McIlroy should be able to maintain their concentration regardless of distractions on the course.
Despite the setback, McIlroy will enter the second round of the Masters seven shots behind leader Justin Rose. In contrast, Bhatia had a different fate on the course, managing to save a bogey on the 15th hole and finish with an opening round of 70. The contrasting performances of McIlroy and Bhatia showcase the mental challenges that players face on the course and the importance of maintaining focus during competition.
The 2025 Masters provided another chapter in Rory McIlroy’s struggles at Augusta National, as he failed to capitalize on a strong start and instead fell down the leaderboard with late mistakes. The pressure of major championships like the Masters can expose mental vulnerabilities in even the best players, as seen in McIlroy’s collapse on Thursday.
As a former European Tour winner and golf TV analyst, McGinley’s insights into McIlroy’s performance offer valuable perspectives on the mental aspects of the game. While slow play by playing partners can create distractions for players, ultimately, it is up to the individual to maintain their focus and concentration on the course.
McIlroy’s ability to bounce back from his disappointing round and make a charge up the leaderboard in the remaining rounds will be a test of his mental resilience and determination. The Masters is known for its dramatic turnarounds and comebacks, and McIlroy will have the opportunity to redeem himself in the subsequent rounds of the tournament. The psychological aspect of golf is often underestimated, but it plays a crucial role in determining a player’s success at the highest levels of the sport.
