Despite an expected final round collision, Augusta National organizers have clearly separated Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy for the opening two rounds of the Masters.
Woods has been drawn to play alongside fellow American Scott Piercy and England’s Luke Donald.
McIlroy, competing off his best of the season in San Antonio, will tee up three hours later at 6.41pm Thursday night Irish time in the presence of fellow PGA Champion and Ryder Cup Sunday Single rival, Keegan Bradley and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson.
But while many observers see the duo than joined over the weekend to fight out the 77th Masters.
However both were playing down the rivalry.
“I don’t see myself a rival to Tiger or to anyone,” said McIlroy.
“Tiger has been on the Tour for, what, 12 more years than me or something like that so his record, when you speak of rivals, you tend to put rivals who have had similar success.
Rory McIlroy on a weekend collision course with Tiger Woods at the 77th Masters.
“Tiger’s got 77 PGA Tour victories; I’ve got six. If I saw myself a rival to Tiger, I wouldn’t really be doing him much justice.”
However Woods accepted McIlroy to be his main rival of a ‘newer generation’ but then the 14-time Major winner has confidently dispatched every other rival he’s faced since turning pro in September, 1996.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve had a few rivals, and certainly Rory is this generation,” said Woods.
“I’ve had Phil (Mickelson) and Vijay (Singh) and Ernie (Els) and David (Dubal) for a number of years, and now Rory’s the leading of this new, younger generation.
“My main goal this week is I’d like to be there first, and we’ll figure out who is there, as well.
“But my main responsibility is to get there and then be part of that mix.”
McIlroy had arrived in Augusta at around 11pm on Sunday night aboard one of three private jets organized by Valero, and sponsors of last week’s Texas Open that flew Masters competitors, caddies and managers direct from San Antonio to Augusta.
He registered late Monday morning to be allocated badge No. 80 and with defending champion, Bubba Watson being reserved No. 1 and Woods being the 52nd player to register.
And after a sizzling final round 66 in San Antonio, McIlroy has finally proclaimed he is now at ease with his new Nike clubs, and some three months after the glitz of his signing with the sports giant.
“Since the start of the year I’ve gained the most confidence in my long game, my driving and my iron play,” said McIlroy.
“The way I was hitting the ball at the start of the year, I needed a short game just to get myself around the golf course and I was able to do that.
“So off the tee has been the big improvement. There was a little bit of an adjustment period getting the driver that really suited me.
“And once I got that, you gain confidence whenever you play rounds and you see yourself hitting good drives, hitting it in the fairways, and setting yourself up with iron shots into the greens.
“So, that’s been the biggest improvement this year.
“It was about me gaining the confidence because I was playing a little bit better and the swing was in a better place.
“So I’m progressing as a golfer, and ultimately building up for this tournament.
“And I’ve always said the main golf season is from the start of April to the end of August, so that’s when I want to play my best golf.”
This year marks McIlroy’s fourth Augusta appearance and while there’s been enormous spectator interest trying to find the spot down the right side of the 10th hole from where Watson played last year’s winning shot, McIlroy will not want to again venture over to the left hand side, and where he was during his hurtful Masters meltdown two years ago.
He went into the 2011 final round carrying a four stroke lead but collapsed under the weight on an 80 to eventually share 15th place.
And two years on, and with two Major victories to his credit, McIlroy again assured all he’s long buried his Augusta demons.
“The demons are all gone,” he said.
“They were gone as soon as I got off the 18th green that day. What’s done is done and it doesn’t matter. It was the front nine that I struggled on last year. I got off to a couple of rough starts Thursday and Friday, a couple of 6s on the first hole.
“So I’m glad to be back here. I have no ill memories of the place at all.
“I absolutely adore the golf course and it’s great to be here.”
