McIlroy needs 'round of his life' to complete grand slam

Rory McIlroy is the only player to have finished in the top 10 in each of the last four Masters, but another statistic may well give the world number two cause for concern.

He's six shots behind the leading duo of Justin Rose (67) and Sergio Garcia (70) tied at the top at six under par.

McIlroy, 27, carded an improved final-round 69 to finish six shots adrift of victor Sergio Garcia on 3-under, but was left to rue an unusual errant driving display.

McIlroy felt he still had a chance of claiming a first green jacket if he could match, or better, his lowest score in the Masters, a 65 in the first round having seemingly set himself on course for victory in 2011.

The 27-year-old birdied the 13th, although he missed out at the 15th before atoning with a two at the 16th shortly after watching playing-partner Matt Kuchar make a hole-in-one.

He matched his worst score at Augusta (Day had a 76 in the first round in 2012 and withdrew after seven holes in the second round with an ankle injury) and it was two strokes higher than his previous worst 36-hole score in the Masters.

The Northern Irishman is one-over-par for the tournament and five shots off the lead after a second round 73 at Augusta.

Rory McIlroy said he needed the round of his life to get a sniff of the green jacket after another frustrating Saturday at Augusta.

"It's as simple as hitting the wrong club on the fifth hole", McIlroy, who switched to a nine-iron from an eight-iron, said when asked about his inability to build on his hot start. I didn't get too high with some really low nine hole scores, but I didn't shoot any nine hole scores that were in the 40s. That's one thing I'm going to change and something I'm going to work on in the next couple of weeks. I gave a decent account for myself and will come back next year and try again.

"I still feel the time off was more of a blessing", he added. I wasn't quite good enough. "I didn't convert the chances I should have yesterday but every time I come back here I'm more and more comfortable". My record over the past four years sort of reflects that in terms of being in the top 10.