Rory McIlroy: Young Star Will Erase Last Year's Augusta Meltdown

Rory McIlroy is ready to prove his doubters wrong.

Last year, McIlroy had one of the worst meltdowns in golf history. He led after each of the first three days, but he shot an 80 on Sunday, which dropped him to 15th.

It was an epic collapse, but McIlroy is a different player. He's tougher, better and more poised than last year. And he's ready to make some noise this weekend.

After falling apart at Augusta, McIlroy came back and won the very next major. Rather than fall apart, McIlroy extended his lead and ended up winning by eight strokes at the U.S. Open.

That win proved how mentally tough McIlroy is. He had a horrible day last year, and it wiped out his chance at a green jacket. Things just kept getting worse, and he couldn't right the ship.

Then he dominated the U.S. Open only two months later.

If McIlroy can maintain that mental toughness throughout the weekend, he will erase everyone's memory from last year.

Moreover, McIlroy is playing extremely well.

He has finished in the top three in each of his last three tournaments. One was a match play tournament. As for the other two tournaments, he only had one round in the 70s.

McIlroy is playing some of the best golf of his career. If he keeps this current play up, he could win his first career green jacket.

The best golfers play make their names at Augusta. McIlroy is a promising young star, but his performance at last year's Masters is a sour memory. He needs to turn things around this year.

With his new-found mental toughness and great current play, McIlroy is bound to erase the memory of last year's meltdown.