Rory McIlroy is getting ready for the Masters barely in a different way this time round – however might that have an effect on his title defence?
Rory McIlroy won’t ever expertise the identical weight of stress on the Masters as he did throughout that intoxicating Sunday at Augusta National final April.
He’ll additionally in all probability by no means have the identical extent of additional curricular actions as he does on this yr’s return down Magnolia Lane. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo are the one golfers in historical past to efficiently defend their Masters title.
And Paul McGinley believes that these further obligations McIlroy could have as champion – together with internet hosting duties for the Champions Dinner – will heighten the duty of going back-to-back.
“It’s always difficult to defend at the Masters,” McGinley instructed Sky Sports News.
“There are so many obligations you have as a defending champion, not just hosting the dinner on Tuesday night for past champions. He’ll probably be around there at the [Augusta National Women’s Amateur] before that and maybe even the Drive, Chip and Putt for the kids the day before.
“So there are a lot of obligations, a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny, but I guess nothing like he had last year when he was on the verge of trying to win a grand slam and eventually getting over the line in such incredible circumstances.”
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This may even be the primary time since The Players moved to March in 2019 that McIlroy has not performed a match between visits to Sawgrass and Augusta. McIlroy says he has absolutely recovered from the again harm that dominated him out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and derailed his Players preparations. He clearly desires to preserve power forward of a full-on week in Georgia.
“He got disrupted in Florida, and it really cost him two tournaments,” McGinley defined. “Bay Hill, where he was doing OK after two rounds and had to pull out with a back injury, and the following week [at The Players], when he actually did play, but with no preparation.
“He finished well down the field and his stats were well off the pace there. So it is a bit worrying. He did get distracted, although he says he’s over the injury now and he’s taken a few weeks off. He’s at home in Florida practicing and getting ready.”
This is the longest time McIlroy has had off before the Masters since 2012. Still, McGinley is aware of it could be churlish to rule out an unburdened and match once more McIlroy from profitable a second Green Jacket.
“He may well raise a gallop at the Masters,” the Irishman added. “His kind and his accidents up to now few weeks counsel that perhaps he is going to be off the boil.
“It is going to be interesting to see how he handles all of that, but it is a golf course that suits him, and he’s going back to unbelievably strong memories from last year.
“Of course, you’re not going to discount him.”
