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London - European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke says Rory McIlroy is certain to complete a career grand slam by winning 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 25-year-old McIlroy can play in helping Europe win an unprecedented fourth straight Ryder Cup at Hazeltine next year, the former British Open champion hopes his fellow Northern Irishman can do so as the proud owner of a green jacket.
"He is such a talented young kid I'm sure he will be on the team," Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"In a couple of weeks' time he is going for the career grand slam and I think if he doesn't win it this time, he will win it next time. Or the time after that.
"His game is ideally suited to Augusta, a high soft draw, and as we have all seen, he's got every shot in the bag so there is no reason why he's not going to win around there sooner rather than later.
"He is so much more comfortable in his world number one position this time around than he was the last time. He is a good role model, he works hard, practices hard, he does everything right. I just hope to see him keep on going from strength to strength.
"He was always destined to be where he is at the moment. He's got it all. He had it all from a young age."
