RORY NEEDS NEW TRICKS

Mcilroy trying laid-back approach to prove his pedigree

RORY MCILROY’S press conference yesterday was even shorter than last year’s Masters challenge.

After barely 11 minutes and seven questions, it was all over.

But it was all part of his new approach to a 10th bid to complete his career Grand Slam here.

He has played more buildup events – including the Valero Texas Open last week – and flew to Vegas for a fourhour lesson from Butch Harmon. The world No.2 visited Augusta National last week for two days of preparation, went home on Monday and only arrived back at midday yesterday.

Albert Einstein reputedly said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

And the Masters has certainly driven Mcilroy mad over the years.

He should have won in 2011 before his final round 80. Every tournament – and the questions about his chances – seems to have become harder ever since. Fast approaching the 10th anniversary of his last Major win at the PGA Championship in August 2014, the Ulsterman, who turns 35 next month, is trying to figure out the best way to end the drought.

Sergio Garcia showed it can be done by finally winning a first Major at the 74th attempt in his 19th appearance at Augusta – a record wait.

Mcilroy said: “This is my 16th start in the Masters, so I’ve done it quite a few different ways, and I guess just trying to bring a little bit of normalcy into what I try to do week in, week out.”

Harmon and Sir Nick Faldo have both urged Mcilroy to relax and enjoy playing his usual way.

Mcilroy didn’t speak for long yesterday, but what he said was as insightful as ever. He spoke about driving down Magnolia Lane as an 18-yearold debutant and how “incredibly lucky” he felt. “Thankfully, I’ve improved a bit since my first start here, and I feel like I’ve got all the tools to do well this week. But, again, to bring those tools out, one of the most important things is to enjoy it and smell the – I guess not the roses, the azaleas along the way.” Mcilroy said he texts with Harmon “probably on a daily basis” and said his trip to Vegas was not just about the problems with his short irons.

“We had a 45-minute conversation before he even looked at a swing or even before we talked about golf at all,” he revealed. “Talked about a lot of other stuff. You spend four hours with Butch and you go away with two swing tips and 30 stories. But you always go away hitting the ball better.”

Mcilroy missed the cut last year after following his opening 72 with a 77 – his worst score since 2012.

“I’m pretty confident in my golf game,” he said yesterday. “Sometimes you just have to take the conservative route and be a little more disciplined and patient.

“Not trying to win it from the first tee shot. That’s something that I’ve tried to learn.”

‘I’ve improved a fair bit since my first start here. I’ve got all the tools’

READY TO CLEAN UP Mcilroy doing things differently as he bids to win his first Masters FROM NEIL MCLEMAN THERE is a storm warning at Augusta National tomorrow just as world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and world No.2 Rory Mcilroy are scheduled to go head-to-head in the opening round. The two highest-ranked players in the world will be joined by Olympic champion Xander Schauffele. The outlook is better for the final three days with a high of 28 degrees on Sunday. Scheffler (left) said: “I think people may not realise how difficult the golf course is, especially when the wind is blowing. ‘‘And I think we’re going to have another couple days of wind here where the winds are going to be pretty high and it swirls like crazy around this place.”