Woeful weather may hand Rory McIlroy U.S. Masters advantage

Rory McIlroy’s bid for an elusive first U.S. Masters title and the grand slam of golf’s major championships has received an unexpected boost from the long-range weather forecast.

Heavy rain and storms are predicted to batter the Augusta National course, handing a potential advantage to the Irishman whose four major titles have all come at tournaments afflicted by adverse weather conditions.

McIlroy, the world number two, is long overdue a Masters triumph on a course perfectly suited to his long driving and creative shot-making.