Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, is scheduled to make a trip to Augusta National next week, but first he intends to focus on honing his skills at this week's Genesis Invitational. The Northern Irish golfer, currently ranked second in the world, has arranged a round with his father, Gerry, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley, providing an early preview of the course where he will defend his Green Jacket in April.
McIlroy's Upcoming Augusta Visit
McIlroy confirmed his plans, stating, "I'm going to go up there and play with the chairman next week actually." He noted that his previous return to Augusta was for promotional filming rather than a full round, describing the experience as nostalgic. "It was cool to get up to the champions locker room and see my nameplate alongside the other two champions that I share a locker with," he added, highlighting the perks of being a champion, such as staying on site without needing a member present.
Course Conditions and Preparations
During his recent visit, McIlroy observed minor changes to the course, including a ten-yard extension on the 17th hole, but overall, he found it largely unchanged. This upcoming trip will be informal, contrasting with the competitive nature of this week's Genesis Invitational, which serves as the second Signature Event of the season. McIlroy aims to use this tournament to sharpen his competitive edge after a mixed performance last week.
Refining Form at Genesis Invitational
At last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am, McIlroy finished five shots behind winner Collin Morikawa, hampered by a level-par third round that included a triple and double bogey, costing him a chance to defend his title. He views the Riviera Country Club, host of the Genesis Invitational, as a more forgiving venue and hopes to capitalize on this opportunity.
"I'm just sort of working through that first little bit of the year where you're trying to shake a little bit of rust off and you're trying to find your footing a little bit and sort of where your game is," McIlroy explained. He played two events on the DP World Tour earlier this year before arriving in California, and despite some setbacks, he remains encouraged by his performance. "I learned quite a bit about my game last week, played well for a lot of it," he said, noting that big scores hindered his contention but that there were positive takeaways.
Confidence Building for Future Events
McIlroy emphasized that the Genesis Invitational offers fewer hazards compared to last week's course, reducing the risk of big numbers. "The fact that I'm hitting a lot of good shots and hitting it close and converting a lot of putts, that has to give me confidence for not just this week but going forward," he added, expressing optimism about his form as he prepares for the Masters defense and other upcoming tournaments.
