Rory McIlroy feeling ‘mellow and chilled’ after opting out of par-three contest

Rory McIlroy may have enhanced his chances of completing the career grand slam by opting out of the par-three contest, but the world number three still faces a tough task to end Europe's surprising Masters drought.

The sad news that Jose Maria Olazabal would not be able to compete this year due to illness brought home the fact that the Spaniard's second victory at Augusta National in 1999 remains the last by a European, a stark contrast to the time when his compatriot Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam enjoyed unrivalled success.