Augusta, GA …
Sergio Garcia has an Augusta green jacket life while Rory McIlroy cannot find a new golf ball quick enough.
For a fourth Masters in succession McIlroy turned his back on Augusta National being left short-changed in finishing inside the top-10.
That’s more top-10s than the three Garcia had in a 15-year period up until Sunday’s maiden Major triumh.
Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of McIlroys maiden Masters showing and it will also be ‘Take Four’ in his attempt to win the Grand Slam.
But in the coming weeks, and in the lead-up to his wedding back home in Ireland at the stunning Ashford Castle, McIlroy said he needs to sort out finding a golf ball that does what he wants it to do.
Rory McIlroy with his head bowed on the final day of the Masters.
He went into this year’s Masters using a Titleist Pro V1 while he also changed drivers on the eve of the year’s first Major swapping a Callaway ‘Epic’ for a TaylorMade M2.
McIlroy had no such indecision in using Nike driver and ball to win a U.S. Open, an Open Championship and two PGA Championships.
“I need to change my golf ball. That’s a big thing,” he said.
“I thought my golf ball this week was doing weird things in the wind. It was very inconsistent so there’s one thing I will change and try to work on the next few weeks.
“I feel I’m swinging it as good as I have been for a long time, I’ve done a lot of good work with Michael (Bannon, his coach) over the last couple of weeks, my putting feels as good as it has done in a long time
McIlroy’s share of seventh place means he’s now finished in the top seven in all four stroke play events of 2017.
And despite losing six weeks due to a rib injury he again dispelled thoughts that he went into the year’s first Major under-golfed.
“I don’t think so”, he said.
“Again, as I said, I feel the time off was more of a blessing. I got to work on some stuff in my short game. I felt as comfortable on the greens here as I ever had. Even though I had a couple of three‑putts. But I holed some good ones. I had a couple of pars when I needed to. I didn’t convert the chances I should have yesterday but every time I come back here I’m more and more comfortable.
“So I don’t think it was lack of competitive rounds. I played a light schedule up until this tournament for a few years in a row, I wasn’t planning to this year, it just happened to be that way.
“It is another major and another missed opportunity but I’ll move on and focus my attention on the U.S. Open coming up.”
Whether or not McIlroy will get to play a practice round at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, and venue for the U.S. Open, is uncertain given his marriage on the weekend of 23/24 April and then plans for a 10-day honeymoon.
His next event is the May 11th starting Players Championship while he’s playing the May 25th starting BMW PGA Championship the following week’s Memorial and a fortnight off ahead of the June 15th starting U.S. Open.
“Erin Hills is a bit of an unknown to everyone given we haven’t played a Major there before,” he said.
“But then we have Royal Birkdale for The Open and that’s one of the best Open courses that’s on the rota. And going to Quail Hollow for the PGA, and I’ve had success there in the past.
“So, there is nothing but positives ahead I feel.
“And my game feels in good shape. It’s just a matter of working hard and putting myself in position to win. I’ll turn my focus to trying to get ready for the U.S. Open in June and try to add to that major tally there.”
