His short irons are an issue.He stands up with a wedge & we cringe

3-time Masters champ NICK FALDO looks at Mcllroy's Major dilemma

- NEIL MCLEMAN

SIR NICK FALDO says Rory McIlroy has to "free" himself of negativity and distractions to finally win the Masters this week.

The Ulsterman missed the cut last year after taking the unofficial role as the PGA Tour's anti-LIV spokesman - and then conducting an on-course interview during his round.

Three-time Masters champion Faldo believes McIlroy is in the prime of his career a month before reaching his 35th birthday.

But as he approaches the 10th anniversary of his last Major win in August 2014, he has resigned from the PGA Tour Policy Board, had a lesson from Butch Harmon (inset) and changed his pre-Masters routine in search of his elusive career Grand Slam.

He finished third at the Valero Texas Open and plans to only list arrive at Augusta National today.