Wednesday 5 April 2017 10:26, UK
Rory McIlroy is counting on extra practice rounds at Augusta and advice from Jack Nicklaus to spur him on to Masters glory this week.
McIlroy has played 99 holes at Augusta over the last fortnight ahead of his latest attempt to complete a career grand slam of major championships, which begins at 6:41pm on Thursday when he plays in the third-last group out with Jon Rahm and Hideto Tanihara.
The 27-year-old had a "heavy schedule" planned for the early part of 2017, but he played only one event in South Africa before being sidelined for almost seven weeks with a rib injury.
But he used his time off to work hard on his short game and putting, which he believes are the main keys to success in the opening major of the year, and he is completely satisfied with his preparations for the week ahead.
"I'm feeling good coming into this week and I've prepared well over the past 10 days," he said at his pre-tournament press conference. "I've played 99 holes in two weeks here, so I feel I've played the golf course enough and I'm ready to go.
"The more I can play the golf course and almost make it seem like second nature to me, where to hit the balls on the green and where to start putts and know where the pin positions are; the more that can become second nature, the better.
"That's why I played a lot of holes and played a lot of matches, as well. We all know more than likely where the pin positions are going to be, so I didn't scope out the holes. But I played matches, shot scores and played one ball because obviously that's what we're doing in the tournament and I thought that was a good way to prepare."
McIlroy also declared he was fully fit following his injury lay-off earlier this year, and he added: "Physically I'm fine. It wasn't the start that I wanted for the year, I wanted to play quite a heavy schedule coming into the Masters. But I had one event in South Africa and then seven weeks off.
"But in that time, it allowed me to work on a few things in my game that you know, whenever you're playing week‑in, week‑out, you may neglect a little bit, so I spent a good bit of time around the short-game area and the putting green. Obviously it's of huge importance this week to have your short game as sharp as possible."
McIlroy also revealed he sought out advice from Nicklaus over the phone on Monday, and the six-time champion expressed the values of patience and a conservative approach to taking on Augusta National.
The four-time major winner endured particular frustration at the fourth and the 11th holes last year as he went from one off the lead at the halfway stage to being out of contention after a third-round 77 which included a double-bogey six at 11 when he hooked his second from the pine straw into water.
"If I can make a three on four and a four on 11 every day this week, I think I'll be okay. I think I played those holes in nine over par last year," he added.
"But around here, don't take on too much, that's the thing. I actually I had a little conversation with Jack Nicklaus on Monday, and that's what he said. He told me I took on too much a couple of times and it cost me a couple of Green Jackets.
"Jack also said it is a golf course that can tempt you into doing a little bit too much. I cast my mind back to the 11th hole on Saturday last year where I'm in the pine straw on the left and I'm trying to hit this low hook around and catch the hill and trying to get it up onto the green and hit this heroic shot and it goes in the water and I make a six.
"That's the last thing I needed, as I was three or four over for the day at that point and I needed to hit it to the right of the green and try and make my up‑and‑down. Even if you make five, five is better than six if you take the water out of play.
"So it's just a matter of being smart, taking your medicine when you have to and moving on."
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