PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — For over a decade, Rory McIlroy test-drove different approaches to Masters prep, hoping for to land on the secret sauce.
This year, though? He sounds ready to revel in what he’s accomplished.
Life is good for the defending Masters champ, who’s in the mix at the Genesis Invitational after just one bogey at the halfway mark. If McIlroy seems to be playing with a certain freedom, perhaps that’s because he knows he already owns the prize he prized most.
Now comes the victory lap. Cue the Masters theme; here’s how Rory’s Return is going down.
1. The return (with cameras)
This part already happened. While McIlroy said he hasn’t played a full round at Augusta since last year’s triumph, he did return to “do some filming.” We can only guess what this means, but smart money says it has something to do with McIlroy’s new production company and some sort of special something coming in the lead-up to his title defense.
The last time McIlroy was there was the most important day of his career. Was it emotional, being back?
“No,” McIlroy said, then reconsidered. “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.”
(Masters champs share lockers with past winners, they have their own room, they have their own parking spaces, it’s an overall terrific setup.)
“Yeah, it was somewhat nostalgic. I wouldn’t say it was emotional but definitely there was nice memories. Yeah, different feeling the first time staying on site without having to need a member there. There’s a lot of perks you get with being a champion.”
2. The return (without cameras)
Next week McIlroy will be back to play the course with a noted guest: his father, Gerry. Oh, and a noted host:
“And the chairman,” he said. That would be Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.
No word on whether they have a fourth, though I’m planning to offer my availability.
3. The Women’s Am
In the past McIlroy has tested several different approaches; some years he’s played the week before at the Valero Texas Open. Not this year: McIlroy will be at Augusta National that weekend.
“I did Houston last year instead of San Antonio and that seemed to work pretty well,” he said, referring to the Texas Children’s Houston Open two weeks before. His plans instead?
“I’ll probably walk around and watch the final round of the ANWA on Saturday,” he said. The Augusta National Women’s Am begins Wednesday and Thursday at nearby Champions Retreat, pauses for an ANGC practice round on Friday and resumes for the final round on Saturday with, apparently, the Masters champ looking on.
4. Drive, Chip and Putt
McIlroy plans to be a part of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition in some capacity, he said. And then…
5. A special round
A champion’s perks extend to the Sunday ahead of the Masters, when the course encourages champs to bring guests. (Scottie Scheffler recently played with his mother Diane.)
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