Rory McIlroy is preparing himself for a tough week at Augusta National as he looks to defend his title at The Masters.
McIlroy finished last year’s tournament on 11-under, where he was joined by Justin Rose, before winning their playoff.
Similar drama is likely in store this time around at Augusta National, where the first round action is now underway.
McIlroy is playing with Cameron Young and Mason Howell in the first two rounds as he looks to start off on the front foot in Georgia.
In the build-up to the major championship at the Par 3 Contest, the Northern Irishman gave an idea of what score could clinch the green jacket this week.
Rory McIlroy says double-digits under par at The Masters would be ‘amazing’
When asked by ESPN’s Marty Smith how he can win The Masters again this year, McIlroy said: “I think this week it’s going to be dry. It’s already a little windy.
“I played the back nine earlier this morning, the golf course is already firming up. You know, they can do whatever they want with this golf course this week.
“I think it’s about patience like it always is around here.
“But I think this week will be… if the conditions continue to be the way they are, double digits under par would be an amazing score.
“So it’s not going to be a low-scoring Masters I don’t think, and I think that’ll be fun for everyone to watch on TV at home.”
Rory McIlroy says The Masters won’t be a ‘birdie fest’
Recent champions of The Masters have all produced similar scores over the years, with McIlroy’s predecessor Scottie Scheffler also shooting 11-under.
Jon Rahm won the tournament on 12-under the year before, while Scheffler and Hideki Matsuyama both finished on 10-under in 2022 and 2021 respectively.
The year before that, Dustin Johnson finished on 20-under, which represents a record score at The Masters.
But McIlroy is predicting a very tough test this time around, having shared his thought process when asked what he wants to be focused on at the first tee.
“Just executing my game plan, being free in my swing and in my thoughts,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s going to be a tough test this week.
“The wind is going to be up tomorrow. The greens are going to get firm. It’s certainly not going to be a birdie fest. So it’s going to require patience.
“It’s going to require more of a mental grind maybe than… this place is always that way, but I think even more so. Going to get wind swirling, you’re going to be indecisive.
“So the more I can be decisive and be trusting in what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to need to do.”
Despite being the defending champion, McIlroy seemingly finds himself behind Scheffler when it comes to the favorites for this year’s winner.
And that could certainly work in his favor, along with the huge weight he lifted off his back by claiming the green jacket last year.
Read more:
Shane Lowry claims Rory McIlroy could hand him the best moment of his career at The Masters
Dustin Johnson predicts if his 20-under record at The Masters could be broken this year
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