Masters champion Rory McIlroy is heading again to Augusta subsequent week however will first look to proceed to “shake off the rust” at The Genesis Invitational.
The Northern Irishman has a spherical scheduled together with his father, Gerry, and Augusta Nationwide chairman Fred Ridley as he takes an early take a look at the course the place he’ll defend his Inexperienced Jacket in April.
“I’m going to go up there and play with the chairman next week actually,” stated the world No 2, whose earlier return to Augusta was for some promotional work.
“It wasn’t even a round. I was doing some filming up there.
“It was cool to rise up to the champions locker room and see my nameplate alongside the opposite two champions that I share a locker with. It was considerably nostalgic.
“I would not say it was emotional however positively there was good recollections; completely different feels the primary time staying on web site with out having to wish a member there.
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Rory McIlroy wins The Masters for a profession grand slam.
“There’s a variety of perks you get with being a champion.
“I was out on the course and was hitting some shots. They’ve moved the plate (on the 17th) back 10 yards to make it 10 yards longer but apart from that the course is pretty much the same.”
However whereas subsequent week’s journey shall be comparatively casual in its nature, this week’s second Signature Occasion of the season presents the prospect to sharpen his aggressive edge.
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After years of near-misses, Rory McIlroy made historical past final evening by securing his place as considered one of golf’s greats.
McIlroy completed 5 pictures behind Collin Morikawa ultimately week’s AT&T Pebble Seaside Professional-am after a level-par third spherical, which included a triple and double bogey, price him a sensible likelihood of defending his title.
The Riviera Nation Membership is a extra forgiving course and the world No 2 is trying to take benefit.
“I’m just sort of working through that first little bit of the year where you’re trying to shake a little bit of rust off and you’re trying to find your footing a little bit and sort of where your game is,” added McIlroy, who performed two occasions on the DP World Tour this 12 months earlier than his arrival in California.
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Highlights from the third spherical of the Pebble Seaside Professional-Am from the Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California.
“I learned quite a bit about my game last week, played well for a lot of it.
“Clearly made some huge numbers which stored me from being proper in competition on Sunday however I really feel like there’s sufficient good in there to be inspired going into this week.
“There’s extra alternatives to make huge numbers final week than there may be this week. There’s not hazards, there’s not water.
“The fact that I’m hitting a lot of good shots and hitting it close and converting a lot of putts, that has to give me confidence for not just this week but going forward.”
What’s subsequent?
The PGA Tour stays in California for the Genesis Invitational, one other Signature Occasion, with Tiger Woods’ basis internet hosting the occasion at Riviera Nation Membership and each Scheffler and McIlroy attributable to function.
Ludvig Åberg returns as defending champion, with early protection stay on Thursday from 3.15pm on Sky Sports activities Golf forward of full protection from 9pm. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
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