Rory McIlroy is hopeful of winning the Masters in Augusta (McIlroy 40/1 The Masters – Outright) with the added incentive that he will be the youngest champion in history if he pulls it off this year.

The Northern Irishman (11/2 The Masters – Top Gb And Ire) starts his his challenge on Thursday lunch-time and the world number 11, who will be 21 next month, must take the green jacket this time around otherwise he will be eight months older than Tiger Woods was when he became the youngest winner back in 1997 when the tournament rolls around next year.

McIlroy has endured a difficult time of late on the course which was summed up last week when he missed the cut at the Houston Open, but he feels his game is coming together at the right time for the Masters.

“I’ve made a lot of progress in the last week,” said McIlroy.

“I feel I’m now playing well enough to be on contention. I feel like the shots are there again. I’m hitting a lot of fairways and my distance is up again.

“I’m certainly moving in the right direction. My confidence wasn’t great a month ago, but it’s probably back close to seven or eight.

“And I love this golf course.”