Palm Harbor, Florida ….
Rory McIlroy reckons his game is so sound he’s ready for the year’s first Major showdown even if the Masters was being held this week.
McIlroy, of course, is committed to today’s commencing Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort to the north of Tampa on Florida’s west coast.
He joins Tiger Woods as first-timers contesting the $US 6.5m event and a venue boasting the famed ‘Snake Pit’ – the closing three holes on the host Copperhead Course.
Rory McIlroy reckons he’s ready for the Masters even it were to be held this week. (Photo @tourmiss)
And while this event is a fifth of eight McIlroy will contest ahead of the April 5th starting Masters the current World No. 11 sounds extremely eager to tackle the famed Georgia golfing gem.
“I’m totally ready for Augusta and I’d be happy to go to Augusta tomorrow and play and I feel like I have a good chance,” he said.
“But for this week and my next two events it’s all about FedEx Cup points as I don’t like seeing 175 points beside my name on the Tour’s website. It’s all that kind of stuff like needing to win some golf tournaments.”
McIlroy revealed he played two rounds at Augusta National last week as guest of Augusta member, Jeff Knox.
Joining them was McIlroy’s father, Gerry and his manager, Sean O’Flaherty.
“Jeff and I had a little rematch as we have played Augusta together in the past but there was no way I could win as I gave him too many shots. Like I gave him eight shots but we had a great two days up there.
“The conditions up in Augusta were good and I feel like every week they ramp it up. The golf course was in great shape and so good they could hold the tournament in a couple of days’ time.
“So, it was a nice two days to re-familiarize myself with the course.”
McIlroy is among three players this season, and also including Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth, with an active opportunity to join just five players in the history of the game to win the coveted ‘Grand Slam’.
While McIlroy needs a Masters success, Mickelson continues to strive for a U.S. Open title while Spieth needs to win a PGA Championship.
“Rory has the best opportunity, given the first Major of the year is the Masters,” said Spieth who won the 2015 Valspar and weeks later captured the back-to-back Masters and U.S. Open titles.
Jordan Spieth stating the obvious and that is Rory McIlrory has first chance this year at the Masters in winning the Grand Slam. (Photo – @tourmiss)
“But then the way Phil is playing and with the fire power that myself and Rory have, I think it’s kind of a crap shoot who can get to the Grand Slam first.
“So, it’s going to be harder for me right now given they have an opportunity before I do.”
But then while Augusta and the Masters commanded many of the questions put to McIlroy, he is fully committed to this week’s Valspar Championship.
“Some guys may be here this week with one eye on this tournament and another on an event in a few weeks but I can’t do that as I have to be 100% committed to what I am doing this week,” he said,
“So, right now my priority is the Valspar Championship and trying to win this tournament and figure out how to get myself around the Copperhead course in the fewest shots as possible.”
McIlroy wound-up his Valspar preparations contesting Wednesday’s
Pro-Am and with long-time coach, Michael Bannon again a very interested observer ahead of returning home to Ireland after the tournament.
