Rory McIlroy is changing his plan of attack at this year’s Masters tournament.
It will be the 16th time that the Northern Irishman will tackle golf’s most famous venue as he weighs up the best approach to his latest tilt at the career grand slam.
Golfweek has learned that this year, McIlroy will not arrive at Augusta National until late on Tuesday evening, leaving himself just one full day before the tournament kicks off on Thursday.
According to Golfweek, the four-time major champion was among some members of the Apogee Club in Hobe Sound, Florida last week where he told Keegan Bradley of his plans during a round which was being taped for Full Swing Season 3 – the Netflix docu-series all about the PGA Tour.
Bradley allegedly asked McIlroy when he was going to Augusta to which McIlroy said not until day two of Masters week. He also plans to miss the fun par 3 tournament on Wednesday which is often used by players to spend time with their families before the serious business begins 24 hours later.
During the conversation, McIlroy allegedly said the run-up to the Masters drags too long which explains why he would like to arrive at Magnolia Lane later than he ever has in his career.
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All eyes will be on the 34-year-old as not only is he looking to break his Masters hoodoo and win the title so many believe he is destined for, but to break a drought at major championships which is now a decade long.
His last win in one of golf’s four big events came at The Open Championship in 2014. This was also a year in which he came tied for 8th at Augusta and started a run of five consecutive top-10 finishes without winning.
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McIlroy came outright second in 2022 without threatening Scottie Scheffler and he missed the cut in 2023. This disappointing finish led him to miss the following week’s RBC Heritage at Harbour Town during a time when every top player was expected to turn up in what were named Elevated Events.
“I’ve always known that I can do it,” he said after coming second two years ago. “I’ve played good enough around here, maybe just haven’t strung four rounds together like that, but I’ve always known that I have the game to win at this place.
“It’s just a matter of having that game for four days in a row and not making big numbers and shooting yourself in the foot I guess.”
As well as his arrival time changing in the build-up to the Masters, rumours have also linked McIlroy with a significant switch in the coaching department with multiple reports pairing him with legendary swing coach Butch Harmon.
Harmon is best known for coaching Tiger Woods when he first rose to prominence on the PGA Tour, but he also spent a long period tutoring Phil Mickelson as well as other stars like Ernie Els, Rickie Fowler, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and Davis Love III.
McIlroy is in the field this week at the Valero Texas Open as he looks to fine-tune his game ahead of the first major of the year.
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