Jack Nicklaus has revealed that Rory McIlroy abandoned his pre-tournament strategy early in the final round of the Masters, which ultimately led to his historic victory.
Speaking on Tuesday at a charity event at Ohio State University, the six-time Masters champion shared insights into McIlroy's mindset during the crucial Sunday round.
"Rory got away from his game plan on Sunday, and he got away with it," Nicklaus said.
The golfing legend had prior knowledge of McIlroy's intended approach, having discussed it in detail over lunch the week before the 89th Masters.
Jack Nicklaus knew Rory McIlroy would win The Masters on Sunday
GETTYNicklaus had even endorsed McIlroy's original plan, saying it was "exactly the way I would try to play the golf course."
McIlroy had shared a detailed hole-by-hole strategy with Nicklaus before the tournament, including specific plans for the third hole at Augusta.
"He had told me the week before, I had asked him, how are you going to play the third hole? He said, 'Three of my tee shots are going to be with the driver down underneath the green, and when the pin's left, I'm going to lay it back,'" Nicklaus recalled.
However, when faced with a left pin position during Sunday's final round, McIlroy deviated from his intended approach.
Instead of laying back as planned, he opted to use his driver, a decision that caught Nicklaus's attention immediately.
McIlroy's change in strategy came after a difficult start to his final round.
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"He made double bogey on the first hole," Nicklaus explained, "and did not birdie the second hole."
This early setback saw McIlroy surrender his two-stroke lead over U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, finding himself trailing by one shot after just two holes.
When McIlroy pulled out his driver on the third hole despite the left pin position, Nicklaus immediately recognised the emotional shift.
"I thought, 'he's ticked,'" said Nicklaus.
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Rory McIlroy finally ended his long wait for the Grand Slam with victory at The MastersReutersThe golfing legend was curious to see if this deviation from the carefully planned strategy would prove costly.
"I said, 'We're going to find out whether he's going to get away with it or not.'"
Despite the deviation from his plan, McIlroy's gamble paid dividends.
"And he did. He got away with it, but he got away with it by playing a beautiful pitch shot [to make birdie]," Nicklaus said.
The golf legend suggested McIlroy's emotional state actually influenced a positive outcome.
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This successful improvisation proved pivotal according to Nicklaus.
"And I think that set the tone for what happened the rest of the day."
The birdie on the third hole ultimately helped propel McIlroy to his first green jacket, completing his career Grand Slam.
