PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Rory McIlroy has spent more than a decade testing different approaches to Masters preparation, hoping to land on the secret sauce.
This year, right? He sounds ready to enjoy what he has achieved.
Life is good for the defending Masters champion, who enters the Genesis Invitational after just one bogey. If McIlroy seems to play with a certain freedom, perhaps it’s because he knows he already owns the prize he prizes most.
Now comes the victory lap. Cue the Masters theme; here’s how Rory’s Return plays out.
1. The return (with cameras)
This part has already happened. Although McIlroy said he hasn’t played a full round at Augusta since last year’s victory, he did return to “do some filming.” We can only guess what this means, but smart money says it has something to do with McIlroy’s new production company and some sort of special thing coming ahead of his title defense.
The last time McIlroy was there was the biggest day of his career. Was it emotional to be back?
“No,” McIlroy said, then thought again. “It was cool to go into the champions’ locker room and see my name tag next to the other two champions I share a locker with.”
(Masters champions share lockers with past winners, they have their own room, they have their own parking, it’s a great setup overall.)
“Yes, it was somewhat nostalgic. I wouldn’t say it was emotional, but there were certainly nice memories. Yes, a different feeling the first time you stay on site without needing a member there. There are a lot of benefits you get from being a champion.”
2. The return (without cameras)
Next week, McIlroy returns to play the course with a celebrity guest: his father, Gerry. Oh, and a celebrity host:
“And the chairman,” he said. That would be Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley.
No word on if they have a fourth, though I plan to offer my availability.
3. The ladies team
In the past, McIlroy has tested different approaches; some years he played the week before at the Valero Texas Open. Not this year: McIlroy will be at Augusta National that weekend.
“Last year I did Houston instead of San Antonio and that seemed to work pretty well,” he said, referring to the Texas Children’s Houston Open two weeks earlier. His plans instead?
“I’ll probably walk around on Saturday and watch the ANWA final round,” he said. The Augusta National Women’s Am starts Wednesday and Thursday at nearby Champions Retreat, breaks on Friday for an ANGC practice round and continues for the final round on Saturday, with the Masters champion apparently watching.
4. Drive, Chip and Putt
McIlroy plans to participate in the Drive, Chip and Putt competition in some capacity, he said. And then…
5. A special round
The benefits of being a champion extend to the Sunday before the Masters, when the course takes place encourages champions to bring guests. (Scottie Scheffler recently played with his mother Diane.)
#Rory #McIlroys #premaster #plans #sound #dream #return