Rory McIlroy was the very last to register and he’s hoping now to be the very last to leave Augusta National on Sunday night.

Being the final player to register meant McIlroy being afforded the last players badge – No. 099.

McIlroy had the badge affixed to his cap when he drove his gleaming silver Mercedes into the player’s car park yesterday.

In the car were three of his closest buddies including Harry Diamond, who’s going to caddy for McIroy in the Par Three Contest.

Rory McIlroy and his mates - Ricky McCormick (left), Mitchell Tweedie (second left) and Harry Diamond (right) - and caddy J P Fitzgerald)

“I was here Thursday and Friday so then I didn’t think I needed to come here last (Mon), so being the last here means receiving badge no. 099,” he said.

“It’s a good number and maybe a good omen.  Last to register and the last to leave on Sunday night, well hopefully (smiling).

“But I’ve come here feeling great.  I got in 10 really good days of practice down in Florida and then on top of a couple of good day’s work here last week, I feeling pretty good about my game.

“I feel as though I’ve got my preparation right.  I’ve mapped the greens and all I am going to do, is go out and play nine holes today, nine holes tomorrow (Wed) and just conserve my energy.

“I just want to channel all my energy into the four days of competition.”

 McIlroy finds himself in a 20-year old something three ball for the first two days at Augusta with officials drawing him with Ryder Cup rival Rickie Fowler and exciting young Aussie Jason Day.

Day qualified for the Master in winning last year’s B

Byron Nelson Championship that he will defend in May, and three weeks after McIlroy defends his Wells Fargo title.

The trio will tee-up at 9.24am local time (2.24pm Irish time).

Bernie McGuire at Augusta, Georgia