Rory McIlroy admits Thursday cannot come soon enough as he bids to complete the career grand slam by winning the Masters.
– Ian Poulter hopes Bahamas preparations will bring him Masters glory
– Montgomerie: Masters collapse four years ago will still haunt McIlroy
– Tiger Woods “worked hard” at his game as he returns at the US Masters
The hype surrounding McIlroy’s attempt to complete a career grand slam has been building since the night before his Open victory at Hoylake last July. And although the return of Woods to competitive action after two months on the sidelines has taken some of the spotlight off McIlroy, the world No. 1 is anxious to let his clubs do the talking.
“I said in the middle of last week, ‘If Augusta was to start tomorrow, I’d be okay. I’m ready,’” McIlroy said on Tuesday, after being paired with Phil Mickelson and Ryan Moore for his opening two rounds.
Obviously they chose me for this pairing to boost the TV ratings for the group #TheMasters @McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/LTbNV7A7Tl
— Ryan Moore (@ryanmoorepga) April 8, 2015
“I think that’s a good indication of where I am with my game. I’ve been ready for this thing to start for a week already so just trying to keep my game where it is and do some quality work, not overdo it.
“Just do the right amount so that when I got here yesterday for the first time, I was ready to play and just needed to go see the golf course. I wasn’t working on anything in my game, my swing. Wasn’t thinking about technique at all. Just all about hitting the shots I need to and thinking about how to manage my game and get it around here for the next four days.
“Results-wise, the last three tournaments haven’t been what I wanted. I still feel like there’s plenty of positives to take from them, especially Doral and Bay Hill, I felt like I played pretty good there. A couple silly mistakes here and there, but for the most part I felt like I got what I needed out of them.”
McIlroy followed Woods into the media centre at Augusta National and admitted the presence of the 14-time major winner – who was relaxed and jovial with the press – could work in his favour.
McIlroy has recorded just one top-10 finish in six previous appearances at Augusta and admits he will have to play the par fives better to have a chance of slipping on a green jacket this Sunday.
But he said: “If I can play the way I know I can around here and just have a good week on the greens, then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t have a good chance.”
F
