Given he has still yet to don the green jacket that seemed as tailor-made for him as the Augusta course itself, the eve of another US Masters invariably prompts the memory of Rory McIlroy’s implosion there eight years ago.

There was nothing romantic about the manner of USA’s loss to Europe in Paris, the city of romance, or the divisions that have now emerged from within the camp following their comprehensive defeat by a better prepared and more unified European team.

The term ‘Tiger-proof’ entered golf’s lexicon after the aforementioned Eldrick Woods claimed the US Masters by 12 shots.

Richard McEvoy claimed his maiden European Tour title after a dramatic finish to the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.

John McHenry looks at some of the key holes to look out for as you watch the very best tackle Carnoustie at the Open

Rory McIlroy is nothing if not bold. He’s a Manchester United fan who hopes Liverpool win the Champions League final on Saturday, admits he enjoyed his round of golf with Donald Trump, and he’s back at Wentworth, where he has missed the cut four times in his previous eight outings at the BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour’s flagship event.

Rory McIlroy entered the final round of the US Masters on Sunday as the overwhelming favourite to win his fifth major. Had he done so, he would have become the first European to win a Grand Slam of major championships, writes John McHenry.

This past week, I was speaking to a well-known journalist with a keen interest in all sports, including golf and soccer. I remarked to him how surprised I was at the manner of Manchester City’s first-leg defeat by Liverpool in the Champions League, despite their Premier League dominance all season, writes John McHenry.

Jordan Spieth has the type of dominant form around Augusta that would have had many fancied players writing off their chances after yesterday’s opening round, writes John McHenry

The Minneapolis Tribune called it a masterpiece. Thirteen-year-old me couldn’t but agree.

Jack Nicklaus believes Rory McIlroy is the man to beat in the Masters as he seeks to complete the career grand slam with a victory at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy has set his sights on becoming the best non-American golfer of all time and plans to return stronger than ever after completing an injury-marred season that has seen him drop to sixth in the world rankings.

Way before Rory McIlroy turned professional in 2007 at the age of 18, it was obvious he already had enough talent to challenge the very best golfers in the game, but an impatient McIlroy always wanted more, writes John McHenry.

South African caddie Gary Matthews has criticised women’s world number one Lydia Ko after being fired by the New Zealander’s camp after only nine events.

Sport can be cruel, but in Garcia golf has another worthy champion who finally determined his own destiny, writes John McHenry.

On a day when Jordan Spieth got that sinking feeling again, Brian Keogh examines the major talking points...

As we head into the silly season on the golfing calendar, I would like to reflect on some of the more remarkable performances of the year. But firstly, I must say that it is wonderful to finally see Tiger Woods return to the competitive fold this week, after all of his injury setbacks.

Jack Nicklaus fought back the tears in an emotional tribute to his long-time friend and great rival at the memorial service for Arnold Palmer in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on Tuesday.

Over the first couple of days of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club four years ago, everything was going perfectly to plan for then US captain Davis Love III.

No-one should underestimate the importance of next Tuesday in the golfing life of Darren Clarke, because it is then that he will have to reveal his hand.

Golfer Danny Willett may have become the first Briton to win the US Masters in two decades but it was his brother who proved the unlikely star of the show.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Given his own extraordinary level of expectation, Jordan Spieth would have been somewhat worried about his form coming into the US Masters this week.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Futility (noun): Uselessness, meaninglessness, pointlessness, worthlessness, emptiness, aimlessness.

It turned out to be a day too far for the Irish at St Andrews yesterday.

No doubt Dustin Johnson slept soundly on Thursday night. 

Past champion Graeme McDowell believes he may have found a key to unlock the secrets of the little-known Chambers Bay course, venue for next week’s US Open.

Rory McIlroy’s injection of golfing Hollywood into the Irish Open was manifestly evident approaching 8am yesterday, as elements of the game’s royalty limbered up to unleash their opening shots of the 2015 renewal.

Before a ball was hit in the final round of the US Masters, the tournament was already a huge success, with the emergence of a true American superstar in Jordan Spieth. 

Probably one of the most interesting conversations this week was between Tiger Woods and Pádraig Harrington.

In spite of his previous attempts to quell the public obsession with his ailing golf career, Tiger Woods is truly the only spark that ignites the interest of the general US public.

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley hopes Tiger Woods returns to action in time for the Masters in order to divert some of the spotlight from Rory McIlroy.

Padraig Harrington has won the Honda Classic in Florida this afternoon - his first win on the PGA Tour since 2008.

While Rory McIlroy will command much of the focus in the countdown to the Masters, good friend Shane Lowry reckons he could become only the third player in history to win on debut at Augusta National.