Champ Adam Scott defends frustrated Rory McIlroy after Cadillac crash

Rory McIlroy’s frustration at letting the WGC-Cadillac Championship slip away was a timely reminder of how difficult it will be to complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters.

Armchair critics will say that the new world No 2 — the silver lining is that he leapfrogged Jason Day in the latest world rankings — was too defensive and allowed his rivals to streak past him on the final day.

But winner Adam Scott, who echoed Pádraig Harrington’s belief that there is probably a Big Six or Seven and not a Big Three, was the first to defend the Holywood star.