McIlroy again goes for career Grand Slam

Turned pro: 2007

How qualified: He qualified several ways, including by winning two times on the PGA Tour last year and three times on the European PGA Tour.

Best Masters finish: Tied for fourth last year.

Best stat this season: He ranks fifth in driving distance (309 yards) and fifth in scoring average (69.969).

First-round tee time: 2:01 p.m.

With a win at this week's Masters at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy could become one of six golfers in the modern era to win the career Grand Slam.

It’s a feat that includes his victories at the U.S. Open (2011 at Congressional), the British Open (2014 at Royal Liverpool) and the PGA Championship (2014 at Valhalla).

It’s a group that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen. Bobby Jones, co-founder of Augusta National, completed the grand slam in the pre-Masters era.

It’s a situation that would bring pride, but comes with pressure.

“It’s something that I’d obviously be very proud of and something that I feel would set me apart,” McIlroy said. “But there’s a lot of golf to be played before that and a lot of talking to be done and a lot of bad bounces and good bounces and lip-outs and everything. So we’ll see what happens over the next few days.”

McIlroy said he is surprised that the Masters is the one he hasn’t won. He hits the ball high. He can land it soft. He’s a long driver. All are key to conquering a course that, because of its contours and quickness of the greens, can be as vexing as it can be pleasing.

He seemingly had one arm in the green jacket in 2011 after holding the lead following each of the first three rounds. But he imploded on the back nine in Sunday’s final round to card an 80 and finish tied for 15th at 4 under.

He finished fourth at last year’s Masters in his first opportunity to complete the Grand Slam. It was a respectable finish, but wasn’t satisfying because shot himself out of contention with a 71-71 start.

He is not trying not to overdo his preparation this week. He played one ball during his practice round Monday, hitting it wherever it stopped rolling.

Compared with last year, he said he feels more subdued this year, which is good because he say he typically plays better when’s not overthinking.

“My game feels good,” he said. “It’s all about going out there over the next four days and executing the shots the way I need to and being mentally strong. But I feel good.”