NBC GOLF analyst Brandel Chamblee has cast doubt on Rory McIlroy’s chances at this year’s Masters. The American, who competed at the 1999 Masters, suggested the Northern Irishman’s past struggles at Augusta may haunt him yet again. The opening major of the season is just days away with all the action from Augusta National set to get underway from next Thursday. A Green Jacket is all that stands between the Northern Irishman and golf immortality. The four-time major winner, McIlroy is on the verge of completing the career Grand Slam, aiming to join an elite group that includes Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. McIlroy has posted seven top-10 finishes in nine starts from 2014 to 2022, including a career-best runner-up finish in 2022. His most infamous Augusta moment came in 2011, when he held a four-shot lead entering the final round, only to collapse with a closing 80 — one of the most dramatic meltdowns in Masters history. But the popular Golf Channel analyst isn't so sure the Down ace will be able to handle the mental challenge to get over the line. Speaking on an NBC conference call ahead of next week’s tournament, Chamblee reckons the iconic course McIlroy's enemy before claiming it brought out the worst in the Down ace. He said: “To continue this Devil Wears Prada theme going a little bit further, I would say that Augusta National is the Miranda Priestly to Rory McIlroy's Andrea Sachs. It is literally his nemesis.” “It brings out the worst golf in Rory annually that we see. It was his worst golf last year in the majors, his worst the year before, two years before that it was his worst golf. He annually underperforms there.” Chamblee also highlighted a key stat showing McIlroy’s Augusta shortcomings on the track that offers little forgiveness. He adeed: “He hits on average about 42 greens. On average, the winner hits about 52. There are things about that golf course that have been very problematic for him.” The St. Louis native also pointed to the intense spotlight that comes with the Rory McIlroy and the Masters, he also mentioned the Northern Irishman's slow starts at Augusta. Chamblee added: “You can't just act like this is any other golf tournament. It is not like any other golf tournament. For a lot of the golf world, it is the single most important four days they will have. “Just look at the last six years, what Rory has done in the first round. The winner here averages sixth place after the first round. Rory has shot 71, 72, 73, 76, 75, 73 the last six years to begin the Masters. That’s mostly mental.” McIlroy will begin his 17th Masters campaign on April 11th in Georgia.