On way to Masters, Rory McIlroy finds perfect setting for game, prep work at Valero Texas Open

In 2013, Rory McIlroy made his debut in the Valero Texas Open and finished second to Martin Laird.

Reasons varied as to why he never returned – tight schedule, playing in the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play the week before, COVID-19.

This year, however, McIlroy felt the tournament would be an ideal fit en route to next week’s Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.

“I played well here back in 2013 and 2013 wasn’t a great year for me anyway, but I definitely thought that the finish here gave me some confidence going into Augusta and ended up having a decent week there,” McIlroy, 32, said Wednesday at TPC San Antonio. “I just wanted to mix it up. I sort of haven’t really enjoyed the format of the Match Play the last couple years and I just wanted to mix it up and I still wanted to feel like I was sharp going into Augusta.

“I don’t want to make this week all about Augusta. I still want to be here and compete and try to win this golf tournament.”

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The world No. 9 with 20 PGA Tour titles has played the week before a major 21 of 51 times since turning pro, including four ahead of the Masters (his best finish at Augusta National among the four was a tie for eighth in 2014). Three of his four major titles – the 2012 PGA and the 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA – came after playing the week before.

“Sometimes being idle at home you can just start to think about things or overthink things or whatever it is,” he said. “So to keep yourself busy and keep your mind on something else is a good thing. I’d just be basically doing what I did last week, practice and playing and just sort of waiting to go up there.

“And it was more just getting four competitive rounds in. And I wanted to play stroke play as well. I wanted my last competitive start before Augusta to be a stroke play event instead of match play. It’s two completely different mindsets, so that was part of the reason, too.”

McIlroy began his prep work for the Masters – the lone major he hasn’t won – Monday with a two-day trip to Augusta National. He saw the changes made to the course – three rebuilt greens (holes 3, 13 and 17) and holes No. 11 and No. 15 having been lengthened by 15 and 20 yards, respectively.

“I just wanted to go there and just see that for myself and sort of do a little bit of a scouting trip that I haven’t really done the last couple years,” McIlroy said. “It was good to be there, good to see the place. At least coming into this event and playing this week, I don’t feel like there’s a rush to get there next week and cram and prepare. I feel like I’ve already done most of my work, which is a nice feeling.”

McIlroy will continue his prep on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, as the course has similar features to Augusta National.

“I think around the greens it can prepare you,” McIlroy said. “I think the runoffs around the greens, the undulations on the greens, some of the shots you face if you miss a green. And some of the bunkering around this course, the bunkers are pretty deep around the greenside. I think more so around the greens and sort of off the tee. This is a generous course off the tee, Augusta’s somewhat generous as well, but it’s just a different look. I think around the greens more sort of the chipping and pitching aspects are good preparation.”

And heading into the Valero Texas Open, McIlroy is feeling much better about himself and his game than he was a year ago at this time. Back then, he was mired in a winless drought dating to 2019. He ended the barren stretch with a win in the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship, then won the CJ Cup at The Summit in the fall.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning The CJ Cup at The Summit Club on October 17, 2021, in Las Vegas. Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

“Chalk and cheese,” is how McIlroy put the difference. “I’m way more comfortable with my game, I’m happy with where everything is.

“Everything seems like it’s a lot more settled.”