Former Ryder Cup captain Colin Mongomerie has cast doubt over whether or not Rory McIlroy has what it takes to complete his career Grand Slam by winning The Masters this year.

Montgomerie, or Monty as he is affectionately known, expressed his concern over McIlroy’s putting, saying: “The one thing I worry about in Rory’s game is holing out.

“Is he good enough on the greens, over four days, to finally win the Masters? Because that is what this tournament is all about — who can hole out those seven or eight-footers.

"That is the fear I have for Rory.” 

McIlroy has only recently returned to action after a rib injury had seen him out of action for a month.

Monty isn’t the only former Ryder Cup captain to air his views on what has been seen as less than ideal preparation for the Northern Irishman.

Paul McGinley also showed he was worried about McIlroy after the world number two played a round with controversial United States president Donald Trump as part of the recuperation from his rib injury. 

McGinley believed that the tumultuous media storm that followed McIlroy in the aftermath of his day with Trump would only serve as a massive distraction.

McIlroy was only holes away from adding the green jacket to his burgeoning trophy cabinet in 2012, taking a four-shot lead into the final round before a spectacular collapse on the home stretch saw him fall well and truly out of contention. 

McIlroy will be desperate to win at Augusta this year as he looks to finally complete an elusive career Grand Slam, having won all three of the other Majors on the calendar. 

He will have a tough job on his hands, though, especially when you consider the form of world number one Dustin Johnson, who has been earmarked as favourite for this year’s Masters by Montgomerie.

“If there is a course built for someone – and we used to say this about Tiger Woods – it is Dustin Johnson at Augusta right now,” said the veteran Scot of the American.

"He is obviously the guy to beat if he can cope with the additional pressure that is on his shoulders. If he gets off to a good start, he will be a very, very difficult man to beat.”

McIlroy loves a good scrap, though, and it often brings out the best in him.

We can expect to see the best of the Northern Irishman at Augusta this year as he battles it out for that prestigious green jacket.