Rory McIlroy is the favourite to win the Masters Tournament according to an exclusive poll of the international media conducted by europeantour.com at Augusta National.
McIlroy, who led after three rounds last year before a closing 80 cost him his first Green Jacket, polled 12 out of the 35 votes cast by golf writers and members of the broadcast media from around the world.
The Northern Irishman topped the poll ahead of four-time Masters Champion Tiger Woods, who received seven votes, while three-time Green Jacket winner Phil Mickelson and World Number One Luke Donald received six votes each.
Australian Adam Scott, joint runner up in 2011, received one vote, as did Sweden’s Peter Hanson, American Ryan Palmer and Englishman Justin Rose.
John Hopkins, of Global Golf Post, said: “Rory is currently the best player in the world and if he can come back from last year’s disappointment to win the US Open at Congressional two months later, then coming back here holds no fears for him.”
Derek Lawrenson, of The Daily Mail, said: “Rory is keen to show the world that he has learned from last year. The first round is a big day for him though.”
