Dame Laura Davies believes there is ‘a bit of a difference’ about Rory McIlroy ahead of the Masters.

The world number two is looking to end his Augusta heartache in Georgia this week at the year’s first Major championship.

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It remains the only Major McIlroy is yet to win as he eyes the career Grand Slam, 11 years on from winning the Open and PGA Championship just a month apart.

He would become only the sixth player in the modern era to win all four Majors and the first since Tiger Woods in 2000.

McIlroy’s best finish at the Masters came three years ago when he ended the week in second place, three shots behind Scottie Scheffler.

Asked if it could finally be his year, Davies told Breakfast: “Yeah, without a doubt, he’s already won three times this year, two on the PGA Tour, looks confident.

“It’s all about can he, if he gets into contention, which you could assume he’s going to get into contention because he does virtually every week. Can he just hold it together to get that personal Grand Slam of all four Majors?

“I think he’s moved on from the last few years because the way he finished a few of the tournaments that he’s won recently has been very, very impressive.

“And that’s why we’re all going to watch this week because that’s fascinating in itself. And the trouble is for him, there’s so many good players playing really well at the moment.”

McIlroy has picked up two wins from five appearances on the PGA Tour so far in 2025.

His most recent came at the Players Championship after seeing off JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off.

The 35-year-old also finished tied for fifth at the Houston Open last month in his most recent tournament.

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McIlroy’s start to the season has highlighted a major change which Davies thinks will boost his hopes this week.

The four-time Major winner added: “I think he’s really happy. You can see he’s having fun when he’s on the course, he’s smiling, even when it’s not going his way.

“Having said that, he’s rarely out of the top ten and it’s really easy to smile at that point. I just think there’s a bit of a difference to Rory at the moment.

“Let’s just keep our fingers crossed, because obviously being a Brit and a European golfer, you just want to see one of the boys win and obviously Rory will be at the top of most of our lists.”

The Masters gets underway on Thursday, with $3.6million (£2.8m) on offer for the winner as well as the coveted green jacket.

Scheffler heads into the tournament as the defending champion after a second win in three attempts last year.

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Davies believes the world number one is once again the man to beat at Augusta.

She admitted: “I think you’d have to say he is. Second place in his last outing, he had last week off, I’m sure he’s been at Augusta most of the week.

“I saw he was there yesterday at the Drive, Chip and Putt with all the kids, which was a thrill for them to see. A Masters champ stood there chatting, watching them hit.”

Scheffler finished tied second at the recent Houston Open, ending the week a shot behind winner Min Woo Lee in Texas.