Golf: Ernie Els predicts McIlroy will grab at least four green jackets

South African golfer Ernie Els is backing Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy to win the Masters and complete his career Grand Slam and has also predicted that the world number one would win at least four green jackets.

However, the South African, who has won two Open and two US Open titles, is living proof there are no guarantees when it comes to winning at Augusta, as back in the mid-1990s, when Els was at a similar age to the 25-year-old McIlroy, he was considered a near certainty to don the famous green jacket, but two decades on he is still waiting.

Twice a runner-up, there was a spell when Els spent five straight years without finishing outside the top six at Augusta. However, he is convinced that McIlroy would not be similarly frustrated, saying that he cannot see that with the Northern Irishman, the BBC reported.

Els claimed that McIlroy is too good, adding that the Ulsterman is playing against great players but he has that factor where when he's on these other guys can't play with him.

The former world number one said that there are no guarantees in this game but added that he would say McIlroy would win at least four. But he insisted that the Northern Irishman has got to do this first one and then the other ones would be easier, claiming that this one is going to be quite big.

The Masters would get underway on Thursday, April 9, the report added.