Second in the 2022 Masters, with a record card (64) in the last round, the Northern Irishman has been present for two weeks in Georgia to prepare for the only major tournament missing from his list.
Par
Laurent Louet
Posted update
This content is not accessible.
From our special correspondent in Augusta (Georgia, USA),
What are your impressions before the 87e edition of the Masters in Augusta?
This content is not accessible.
Rory MCILROY. – Glad to be back… Obviously the last time this tournament was played, I came out of the course and the tournament pretty happy with myself… It’s always great to be back at the Masters.
What is your opinion on the new design of hole n° 13 (lengthened by 35 meters and whose start has been moved back) after having replayed it with Tiger Woods in practice?
On hole n°13, the second shot is much more difficult than before. There is probably less thought to be had on the tee shot. You don’t need to spin the ball as much as on the next shot. On that second shot, I hit a 5 iron. I listened to some of the guys practicing. Dustin Johnson said yesterday that if he was longer than a 5 iron he was probably going to fold…I think depending on where the hole is, you’ll also see guys laying flag balls. It is certainly a choice to be made. Since I played here in 2009 there has never really been a choice, if you hit a good tee shot you go to the green. There, now, there is a decision to be made.
This week in Augusta there are 18 guys from LIV and a bunch from the PGA Tour. It seems that everything is going well together, does it change the dynamic between you?
I see some of these guys at home: Brooks (Koepka) and DJ (Dustin Johnson), since we train in the same place (in Florida, editor’s note). I think the more time you spend with certain people, the more comfortable you feel in a certain way. I’m going to play nine holes here with Brooks in a moment. This week and this tournament is much bigger than all that I think, and it’s just great that all the best players in the world are together again for the first time in quite a while.
This content is not accessible.
Have you spoken to Phil Mickelson and what do you think of his return after his absence last year?
No. I haven’t spoken to Phil. But it’s great to see him again. You know, he’s a three-time champion here. We’re not even two years away from seeing him do what I believe to be one of the greatest feats in the game of golf: winning the PGA Championship at age 51. It’s good that he’s back.
If you’re winning here in Augusta for the first time, how would you like to join Sarazen, Hogan, Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods (who have each of the four majors to their name)?
That would satisfy me! Listen, the Masters is one of the greatest sports tournaments in the world. It’s a major championship. I won four. I’ve been knocking on the door of this fifth one for a while. I feel like I’m as good, if not a better player than I was the last time I won a major championship. So I feel pretty good.
What do you think of the ball changes proposed by the USGA and the R&A. Do you think trying to master technology is a good way to go for the future of golf?
This content is not accessible.
I think the only thing you can regulate in golf is equipment. As we cannot regulate the size of a course. For me, if we really want to keep old historic courses relevant, if that’s something that’s really important to the game of golf, then I would say that’s a step in the right direction.
Do you think the Augusta course plays to your strengths perhaps more than any other major venue?
Yes, but people said the same thing about Ernie Els, Greg Norman… And there were other players before them who were said the same thing and didn’t win a green jacket. It’s always on my mind too. There have also been players for whom you might think this golf course was not for them, and they won a green jacket. If I play like I know I can play, I should have a good chance, I have a chance to win. You know, the last two hours of Sunday, it’s not about whether the course is right for you, it’s about who can hold up the best…
(Comments collected at a press conference)
