Golf caddy Billy Foster has claimed Rory McIlroy has 'taken his eye off the ball' and has been 'concentrating too much on politics' ahead of this year's Masters.
McIlroy has never won at Augusta and will be hoping to finally triumph in Georgia when the tournament commences on Thursday.
The 34-year-old will tee off at 3.42pm on Thursday as he hunts the green jacket he craves.
In the build-up to the tournament, however, McIlroy has been critical of LIV Golf players - as the biggest argument engulfing the sport continues to rumble on.
Rory McIlroy has been told he's 'taken his eye off the ball' ahead of this year's Masters
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And Foster, speaking to CasinoAlpha.com, has claimed McIlroy has 'taken his eye off the ball' as this year's Masters creeps closer.
"I don’t think he’s taken a step back from being the front man of the PGA Tour," he said.
"He’s still playing a lot and he’s a fantastic player. As long as he’s healthy for the next few years, he’ll be one of the top three in the world.
"He drives the ball better than anyone on the planet. His desire is still there.
"Unfortunately, he’s been put in a s****y situation where he’s taken his eye off the ball and concentrating too much on politics instead of golf.
"It might be best for him to get on with his golf and leave the politics to other people.
"He’s still an unbelievable golfer and I don’t doubt his desire and he’ll be challenging at The Masters.
"Him and Shane Lowry were the most vocal people in the locker room at the Ryder Cup. He’s a strong character and his heart is still in the game.
"I don’t know much about him linking up with Butch Harmon but it’s nice sometimes as a player to have a fresh set of eyes observing your game.
"I’ve caddied for Fitzy [Matt Fitzpatrick] at 25 events in the last year but I don’t know if his ball position has carried back.
"Butch might just see something straight away because he doesn’t see Rory all the time."
Another big talking point this year is the return of Tiger Woods.
The American has struggled with injuries over the past few years and is a shadow of the player he once was.
Foster, however, thinks Woods' presence will 'raise the bar' of the Masters.
"Even if he plays in crutches, he’d still raise the bar," he said.
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Rory McIlroy has never won the Masters and is targeting his first green jacket
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"He’s the best thing that’s happened to golf.
"He made the sport twice as popular as it had been before and doubled tournament prize money.
"Every player should have a portrait of Tiger in his house and bow to him every morning because he’s made them all multi-millionaires.
"We won’t ever see anyone like him again.
"It’s like going to the supermarket and buying lettuce, everything has got a sell by date. Tiger’s sell by date will come.
Rory McIlroy has been praised by Billy Fosters as he seeks a maiden Masters title
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"I’d love to think, apart from Tiger Woods, that he’ll have had a false leg by now but fair play to him. His passion and desire and his work ethic to train hard, trying to get back.
"Something inside me makes me think he’ll win another tournament.
"If he can start playing 8 to 10 tournaments a year, that would be great!"
