Jack Nicklaus criticised Rory McIlroy for a scarcity of focus because the 88th Masters belatedly obtained underneath means at Augusta Nationwide.
In a single day rain and the specter of thunderstorms noticed the beginning of play pushed again from 8am to 1030am, with honorary starters Nicklaus, Gary Participant and Tom Watson kicking off proceedings 20 minutes earlier by hitting tee photographs on the primary earlier than retiring to the clubhouse.
The trio then gave a prolonged press convention earlier than Nicklaus joined “Stay from the Masters” on the Golf Channel and mentioned why McIlroy had but to win a inexperienced jacket to finish a profession grand slam.
“I solely have one criticism of Rory,” 18-time main winner Nicklaus stated.
“It’s important to focus 100 per cent of the time. For some motive, Rory at all times has somewhat little bit of a lapse someplace across the event. He’ll discover a double bogey or triple bogey that sneaks in there.
“I don’t know the way he does it or why he does it, however it occurs. And I want that wouldn’t occur.”
Through the earlier press convention Nicklaus stated he believed McIlroy would win the Masters sooner or later, however identified that Watson and Arnold Palmer each missed out on a profession grand slam after failing to win the US PGA.
“I imply, is Tom Watson ok to win the Grand Slam? Completely,” Nicklaus stated.
“Was Arnold Palmer ok to win the Grand Slam? Completely. Is Rory McIlroy ok to win the Grand Slam, completely, however they’ve to do it, they usually all know that.
“Do I feel Rory will win right here? Yeah. He may win this yr. He may win subsequent yr. He’s simply too proficient to not. However then once more, they (Watson and Palmer) have been too proficient to not win these, too. You simply by no means know.”
McIlroy made a sluggish begin to his tenth bid to finish the grand slam, overlaying his first six holes in a single over par whereas enjoying accomplice and pre-tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler picked up two birdies on the identical stretch.
Defending champion Jon Rahm was one underneath par after seven holes, with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox setting the early tempo on 5 underneath due to birdies on the primary three holes and an eagle on the par-five eighth.
The climate delay meant the primary spherical wouldn’t be accomplished on schedule on Thursday, with the final group of Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood not teeing off till 1630 native time.
