RORY MCILROY IS awaiting the familiar feeling of “butterflies” when he gets set to hit the only shot in golf that still makes him nervous, the first stroke of The Masters.
The world number one heads to Augusta as the favourite to collect a first green jacket and complete a career grand slam in the process — something only five players have achieved.
Rather than shy away from the challenge, McIlroy is itching to get started at the first major of the season, although he admits there will be some nerves when he tees off.
“The first tee shot of this tournament is the only shot I get nervous about these days,” the Northern Irishman said. “You get butterflies and your heart races a little bit. I still get that feeling that I did when I was a rookie.
“It’s a golf course that is very special not just to me and to the players that are playing this week, but to the game. Augusta National is a very special place and I’m just glad to be back.
“I’ve done a lot of work over the past couple of days to prepare and I’m looking forward to getting going now.”
McIlroy endured a nightmare final-day collapse in 2011 when a round of 80 saw him surrender the overnight lead and his best finish at The Masters came when he tied eighth last year.
The four-time major winner believes that he must learn to judge the right time to take risks at Augusta as well playing better on the par fives.
“The hype and everything else feels the same because it’s always exciting to be here,” he added. “The one thing I learned from the first couple of years I played was that this course makes me a little bit tentative over iron shots.
“I had to learn to be more aggressive rather than looking at the pin and thinking about the places not to miss it.
“Last year I had six sixes and four were on par fives. Sometimes on par fives with my length I can be a little over-aggressive.
“If you turn two of those sixes into fours, all of a sudden I finish third in the tournament. You want to give yourself a decent chance of three but make sure you get a four.
“I’ve been thinking about the eagle rather than the birdie and if you look at the previous winners here they have all played the par fives well.”
-Originally published 09.00
