Rory McIlroy has emerged from the start of the 2025 season as one of the favorites to win the 89th Masters Tournament. With two wins and five top-20 finishes in as many PGA Tour events, it's hard to argue.Though few doubt it, no one expected the Northern Irishman to have the backing of Phil Mickelson.The legendary three-time Green Jacket winner is not in the habit of praising PGA Tour players, but he put that practice aside to talk about McIlroy's chances at Augusta National next week."That's challenging," Mickelson said about McIlroy's ability to stay focused in high-pressure moments. "But he's done it so many times in his ability to win tournaments. He's been able to compartmentalize that. I don't think that's going to be an issue for him.""His ability to compartmentalize all the things that have transpired in the past is a strength of his so I don't think it'll be an issue or I don't think that's what's holding him back from winning the Masters," he added, according to BBC."Lefty" also spent a few words assessing how McIlroy's characteristics as a player fit in at Augusta National."I think he drives the ball so long and straight that he has a huge advantage on that golf course. He and about 20 guys that drive it like he does will have an advantage of playing it a certain way."Phil Mickelson is not only a living legend of the game, but an authority when it comes to the Masters Tournament and Augusta National. Suffice it to say that not only has he won there three times, but he has 13 other top 10 finishes, including two runner-up finishes.McIlroy is on the verge of reaching 11 years without a major championship title, a drought that began after he won the 2014 PGA Championship. It's fair to say it hasn't been for lack of trying, as he's managed four second-place finishes and one third-place finish in tournaments at this level during that time.His main focus, however, is the Masters Tournament. So much so that he has stated that winning it is one of his three goals for the rest of his career (along with winning an Olympic medal and winning another Ryder Cup on American soil).If McIlroy can finally pull on the legendary green jacket, he will become only the sixth player to win the Grand Slam of golf in the modern era and the seventh all-time.More Golf: Phil Mickelson's 'Chainsaw' Masters Story Proves Why Augusta Hits Different