Tom Watson picks Rory McIlroy to win Masters

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his approach shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2014
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Tom Watson believes that Rory McIlroy will become the first European to win The Masters in 17 years this week at Augusta.

Eight-time Major champion Tom Watson has chosen Rory McIlroy as his pick to win the Masters tournament at Augusta.

World number three McIlroy is attempting to complete a career Grand Slam by adding The Masters to his four other Major triumphs this week.

Watson, a two-time winner at Augusta, believes that McIlroy will thrive in fast conditions with his high ball flight and become the first European since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 to win the year's first Major.

"He's my pick this week," Watson told reporters. "Rory can emasculate a golf course. He hits the ball high and so far.

"And I can tell you the golf course is different this year than it was last year. The greens are faster... on Tuesday they had a real sheen to them."

Watson, 66, is playing in his last Masters this week.

Rory McIlroy in action at the Northern Trust Open on February 18, 2016
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