McIlroy wants ‘normal’ week at the Masters
Rory not taking his entourage to Augusta
IT must be difficult telling close friends they can’t come to Augusta, and particularly when, as Paul McGinley evocatively puts it, you’re standing on the edge of history. But Rory McIlroy has shown another side to his easy-going nature this week and cut down dramatically on his entourage at the Masters, as he prepares for his fourth attempt at the career Grand Slam.
‘I can imagine I’m going to upset a few people but if I end up winning the green jacket, I won’t mind that,’ he said.
‘The problem you’ve got is it’s the one tournament everyone wants to go to, and it can become quite a production, with seven people in one house and ten in another. This year, I’m trying to keep it as normal a week as I can. I want it chilled and quiet.’
The Northern Irishman knows it will be anything but once he steps on to the grounds at Augusta. As if it wasn’t enough pressure trying to become just the sixth player to complete the Slam, he’s now the tournament favourite following his stunning victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month.
‘That win was only a good thing, because it showed me my game is in the right order for Augusta,’ said McIlroy.
‘You want to see you can execute certain shots under the gun on Sunday and I did that. As for the other bit, I’m 28 years old and it’s important I remember I’ve still got plenty of good years left on my side.
‘I realise that every year that passes represents another chance that got away but at the end of the day I’m just delighted to be part of this conversation. There’s only three active players who can do it (Phil Mickelson needs to win the US Open and Jordan Spieth the USPGA) and I’m thrilled to be one of them. I’m first up as well, so let’s see how it goes.’
In his three attempts so far, McIlroy finished 4th in 2015, tied 10th the following year and tied seventh last year, without ever looking like winning come the final round. What’s the missing piece to get over the line this time in what will be his 10th Masters in all?
‘I think it’s just a case of putting it all together,’ he said. ‘Sometimes I’ll go on bad runs where two nines on separate days will add up to a 74 or a 75, and it makes all the difference if you can turn them into a 70 or 71.
‘If you look at my performances year on year, like in 2014 I played the tough holes well but played the par fives in even par. So, my goal the next year was to play the long holes better and I played them in 12 under. Unfortunately, I didn’t play the tough holes as well.
‘It’s finding that balance, hitting the middle of certain greens, making par and walking to the next tee, and also birdieing the holes you should.’
Over the years, two holes in particular have given him difficulty — to be fair, the 4th and 11th give most players problems — and it’s a sign of his attention to detail, that Rory and his team have gone back over the last decade to source every flag location imaginable.
‘I think more than anywhere else, Augusta is about having a game plan and sticking to it,’ he said. ‘It’s very good at tempting you to do too much but if you prepare well you can be disciplined and that’s one thing I want to try and do. Everyone thinks it’s about putting at Augusta but the stats tell you the big factor is hitting greens in regulation. It’s not very demanding off the tee but if you can hit 14 greens in regulation you will have an unbelievable chance to wear a green jacket.’ Despite a good run early in his fourth round, a triple bogey on the par five eighth hole ended Paul Dunne’s hopes of a win at the Houston Open. Shane Lowry finished on 12 under while Seamus Power signed for a 69 to leave him at six under. Padraig Harrington did not finish.