Houston, Texas …. Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy reckons he can boost chances of capturing next week’s Masters by avoiding the ‘hassle and distraction’ of playing in the Par 3 Contest held on the eve of the year’s first Major.
In seven prior Augusta National appearances McIlroy’s skipped the Par 3 Contest just once.
That was in 2011 when he went into the final round of only a third Masters leading by four shots, and while McIlroy still led with nine to play, he imploded posting an 80 to finish well down in a share of 15th place.
But after all the hype of having former fiancée Caroline Wozniacki, and then sporting crimson coloured hair, don the Augusta white overalls to caddy for him in 2014 and then have One Direction’s Niall Horan carry the clubs a year ago, McIlroy’s elected to skip the Par 3 Contest next week.
Caroline Wozniacki caddying for Rory McIlroy in 2014 Par 3 Contest at the Masters.
“I am not going to play the Par 3 Contest this year as it’s just too much hassle and it’s a bit of a distraction,” said McIlroy.
“The year I had my best chance at Augusta, and that was in 2011, I didn’t play the Par 3 Contest so maybe the decision not to play it this year can work in my favour.”
Not for a first time in his career, McIlroy spoke openly of his emotions in remarking he was ‘cheesed off’ and also ‘p***** off’ following his WGC – Dell Match Play semi-final defeat at the hands of eventual champion Jason Day.
One Direction’s Niall Horan and Rory McIlroy having a great time during 2015 Masters Par 3 Contest.
And then after losing the third place shoot-out to Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello McIlroy could not get out of Austin fast enough.
But with the start to the year’s first Major showdown now only nine days away, and with McIlroy also without a win on the PGA Tour this year, he was upbeat at thoughts of finally being fitted with the most treasured item of apparel in all of golf.
“I feel as though I am similar to where I was with my game last year as I am very happy with my game as everything feels pretty good,” he said.
“And I guess you can see it as a sign of my confidence that I am not going to Augusta early as the course changes so much just from Wednesday to Thursday.
“So compared to a year ago and all the hype of winning the Grand Slam, I already feel a little more mellow and a lot more chilled.
“This year you have the attention spread between Jordon (Spieth) going back to defend and Jason (Day) winning for a second week in a row and also there’s Adam (Scott) who has won at Augusta before and is coming off his back-to-back wins.“So there’s a lot more going on around others competing in the Masters this year already than the spotlight I found myself in a year ago
He had fiancée Erica Stroll beside him in a large black SUV courtesy car heading straight for Austin Airport and a week’s practice at the Bears Club in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida before making his way to Augusta on Sunday night (US time).
“I was just so flat out there in my match with Rafa and I was hardly holing a putt out there, and really just wanted to get out of the place,” he said.
“So I will get into Augusta on Sunday night and play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
“I’ve arranged with Matt Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan to play a practice round with them one day, so that will be nice to sort of show them the Augusta ropes.
“But then they’re also very talented and I’m sure they’ll learn fast.”
