Rory McIlroy Says Pressure to Win Masters Turns Him into a 'Complete P---k'

Ahead of this week's Masters, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy divulged that the pressure of the tournament has a significant impact on him.

In an interview with Golf Digest (h/t ESPN.com), McIlroy said the following with regard to how he views the Masters: "Stressful. I am, ask anyone who knows me, a complete p---k in the week leading up to Augusta. But they understand and know that. It's a stressful situation."

McIlroy is a Masters victory away from the career Grand Slam, and winning it would put him in elite company with Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player.

The 27-year-old Northern Irishman has finished in the top 10 at Augusta National in each of the past three years, but the ghosts of his final-round meltdown in 2011 continue to haunt him.

McIlroy entered the fourth round with a four-shot lead in 2011; however, he shot an 80 and finished the tournament tied for 15th.

Ahead of the 2017 Masters, Nicklaus advised McIlroy to simplify his game at times, per Golf Digest (h/t ESPN.com): 

"

Actually I had a little conversation yesterday with [Nicklaus] in Florida. That's what he said. He said to me, 'I took on too much a couple of times and it cost me a couple of green jackets.' I'm like, 'Well, you have six'. But he said it is a golf course that can tempt you. It can tempt you into doing a little bit too much.

"

McIlroy hasn't won a major since 2014, but he is viewed as one of the top contenders to don the green jacket this weekend.

According to OddsShark, only Dustin Johnson is favored over McIlroy.

For more news, rumors and related stories about Rory McIlroy and the PGA Tour, check out the PGA Tour stream on Bleacher Report's app.