Darren Clarke backs McIlroy to complete career Grand Slam by winning Masters in near future

Northern Irishman Darren Clarke has backed his compatriot Rory McIlroy to complete a career Grand Slam, claiming that the world number one golfer is certain to win the Masters in the near future.

McIlroy is aiming to claim his third major in succession at Augusta next month and become only the sixth player to have won all four major titles after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

And while Clarke is focused mainly on the part McIlroy can play in helping Europe win an unprecedented fourth straight Ryder Cup at Hazeltine next year, the former British Open champion hopes that the world number one golfer can do so as the proud owner of a green jacket, Sport24 reported.

Clarke said that McIlroy is such a talented young kid adding that he is sure the Northern Irishman would be on the team.

The European Ryder Cup captain said that in a couple of weeks' time McIlroy is going for the career Grand Slam and he believes that if the world number one doesn't win it this time, he would win it next time or the time after that.

Clarke said that McIlroy's game is ideally suited to Augusta, a high soft draw, and as they have all seen, the Northern Irishman has got every shot in the bag so there is no reason why he's not going to win the Masters sooner rather than later.

Clarke claimed that McIlroy is so much more comfortable in his world number one position this time around than he was the last time. He added that McIlroy is a good role model, as he works hard, practices hard and does everything right.

Clarke also said that he just hopes to see McIlroy keep on going from strength to strength, adding that the world number one was always destined to be where he is at the moment.