Rory McIlroy Says 13th Hole At Augusta National 'Much More Difficult'
Rory McIlroy was happy with his game when he played Augusta recently and welcomed the changes to the 13th hole
Rory McIlroy admits he had “two good days” of Masters preparation at Augusta National recently, where he got to grips with the big changes made to the 13th that make the approach shot a much tougher test.
The four-time Major champion will once again try complete the career Grand Slam next month when the Masters gets underway – and his preparations are going well.
After reports that a change in equipment saw him ‘drive it beautifully’ around Augusta, there followed talk of him taking just 19 putts during one of his rounds.
While McIlroy didn’t confirm the number, he did smile as he admitted having a couple of good days of Masters preparation as he looks to finally slip on the Green Jacket.
A post shared by Golf Digest (@golfdigest)
A photo posted by on
“Yeah, look, I had two good days,” McIlroy said with a smile after being asked if he lit up Augusta. “We played 54 holes in two days and it was good. I was really happy with where my game was.
“It was sort of good to see that after struggling at the Players.”
The 33-year-old had his best Masters finish last year when that memorable bunker shot on the 18th saw him finish in second behind Scottie Scheffler.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
If he is to go one better, he’ll have to conquer the revamped 13th hole at Augusta, which McIlroy says is now a more straightforward tee shot, but a much tougher prospect when trying to find the green.
“I think overall it's a little like 11 in terms of the change,” McIlroy added. “I think they made the tee shot easier because you don't really have to do anything with the tee shot anymore. Just hit it sort of straight up the chute.
“The second shot, much more difficult. A little bit like 11. The second shot on 11 is much more difficult with how they've contoured the front of the green.
“I used to hit 8-iron from a flat lie into 13 and now I hit a 5-iron from the ball way above my feet. Just makes you think a little bit more about the second shot which I think is good.”
McIlroy also gave his thoughts on what Augusta would play like if the proposed rollback of the golf ball goes ahead – saying for him it would just mean returning to playing the distances he had during his Major-winning spell.
“It would be like me going back to my 2015 equipment,” McIlroy said. “I've gained 15 yards in the last six or seven years, and they're saying it's basically a 15- to 20-yard reduction in distance if you hit the ball the speeds that I hit it.
“It would just be like me playing golf again in 2015, and I seemed to do okay then.
“Again, for me it's trying to just keep the integrity of what the game was supposed to be, and when this game was invented - and obviously innovation happens, but I don't think people imagined golf the way pros play the game right now.
“I think it's just got a little - I'd love to see just a little more versatility put back into the game, and I think that's what this change would ultimately do.”
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Graham DeLaet Facts: 20 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro Turned Broadcaster
Graham DeLaet had a successful career in the game, but after injuries took a toll, he has stepped into a broadcasting role in recent years - here are 20 facts about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Arron Oberholser Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour-Winning Golf Channel Broadcaster
Arron Oberholser left his PGA Tour career behind to take up life as a Golf Channel broadcaster in 2013 – here are 15 things to know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Posts Heartfelt Message To 'Hero' And 'Inspiration' Rafa Nadal Following Tennis Icon's Retirement
The Spanish tennis player has left the game after 22 Grand Slam victories - and four-time Major winner McIlroy joined in with the messages of congratulations
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Proves Fierce Loyalty To Caddie With Heartfelt Message In Race To Dubai Victory Speech
Addressing Harry Diamond after winning the Race To Dubai, McIlroy thanked his best friend and called any stick he had received this year "unwarranted"
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tearful Rory McIlroy Reacts To Seve Ballesteros Comparisons After Equalling Spaniard's Order Of Merit Record
In a highly-emotional interview immediately after holing the winning putt at the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy was asked about equalling Severiano Ballesteros' European Tour Order of Merit record
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Wins DP World Tour Championship To Clinch Double Victory In Dubai
The World No.3 has landed a sixth Race To Dubai title - capped off by a third DP World Tour Championship victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
DP World Tour Championship Tee Times: Round Four
Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Hojgaard are the final pairing as the DP World Tour season concludes at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course
By Mike Hall Published
-
Scheffler Vs Schauffele Vs McIlroy: How The Stats Compare
Rory McIlroy said Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have ‘separated themselves’ so we looked at the stats…
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay For The Privilege' Of Playing In The Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy can see the argument for players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, but thinks it would upset the "purity" of the event for the Europeans
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Admits Lack Of Fifth Major 'Stings' As He Grades 2024 Season
The World No.3 once again credited his own consistency after a year of several near-misses but admitted missing out on a fifth Major championship "stings"
By Jonny Leighfield Published