As the annual Masters Tournament on the PGA Tour draws nearer, Rory McIlroy, the celebrated Northern Irish golfer, has shared his insights on what to expect from this year’s Augusta National golf course. Despite the excitement coursing through golf enthusiasts worldwide, McIlroy foresees a few distinct changes to the famed course this year.
Augusta National, renowned for its pristine condition, is set to host the PGA Tour’s most prestigious event in less than a month. While the anticipation builds, McIlroy has allayed any worries about the venue’s standards. The golfing maestro assures that Augusta will maintain its impressive form, despite some noteworthy modifications.
In a post-round interview at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 9, McIlroy addressed these anticipated changes to Augusta. He stated his intentions to practice at the course ahead of the tournament, affirming, “Yeah, I will.”
The changes to this year’s course can be attributed to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through last October. McIlroy outlined two significant differences resulting from the hurricane. He said, “There are some areas of the course that are maybe a little thinner tree-wise, just with the hurricane that rolled through. 16 is a new green.”
McIlroy reassured fans that such alterations are a common occurrence. For instance, Augusta’s 12th hole has evolved significantly over time. Therefore, despite the changes, the world-class quality of the golf on display will remain uncompromised.
In terms of his Masters Tournament preparation, McIlroy revealed that his participation in the interim tournaments between the Players Championship and the Masters remains uncertain. His performance at The Players next week will likely influence his decision. He said, “Yeah, probably. I’ll see how next week goes and then, yeah, just sort of see what I feel like and what I think I need. But, yeah, nice thing is I don’t have to enter until the Friday before.”
If McIlroy performs well at The Players, he might opt to bypass the upcoming Valspar Championship, Houston Open, and Valero Texas Open. Conversely, a lackluster performance at TPC Sawgrass might encourage the world number two to participate in at least one of these events to boost his confidence ahead of the Masters Tournament.