WORLD NUMBER TWO Rory McIlroy believes he is primed for The Masters despite finishing 12 shots off the pace at the Houston Open.
The Northern Irishman lost the world number one ranking to Tiger Woods last week and has suffered some poor form of late but believes he has started to turn the corner after a solid performance in Houston.
“I think the way I’ve struck the ball for the most part has been really good,” McIlroy said.
“I think my short game has been sharp and I think that’s been, you know, a very positive sign this week.
“I’ve learned a few things as well that I can bring into next week and obviously looking ahead to Augusta.
“It was obviously not the finish that I would have wanted (in Houston), but there’s still a lot of things I can take from it.”
McIlroy likened the course at Redstone Golf Club to Augusta and believes the tournament will hold him in good stead for an assault on the famed green jacket.
“(Houston) is very similar to Augusta, when you’re slightly off, the mistakes get exaggerated,” McIlroy said.
“I think that’s why this course is good for preparation for Augusta, and I think just four more competitive rounds will do me do me a world of good next week.“I’ll be in good shape going into the first major of the year.”
Critics have questioned McIlroy’s decision to play the Texas Open, which commences a week before The Masters, but the 23-year-old is convinced it will help with his preparation.
“I need competitive golf and I need committing to targets, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a short course or long course or wide course or whatever,” he said.
“As long as I have that and I have a scorecard in my hand, that’s what I need.”
In the latest rankings released on Sunday, there was just one change to the top 10.
Worked
Woods and McIlroy continue their duel for world number one with English duo Justin Rose and Luke Donald and American Brandt Snedeker rounding out the top five.
Louis Oosthuizen is South Africa’s only top-10 representative in sixth position with Australia’s Adam Scott and American duo Steve Stricker and Matt Kuchar just behind.
American Phil Mickelson has worked his way into 10th position at the expense of compatriot Keegan Bradley.
