• PGA Tour

McIlroy: Texas Open can make me a Master

ESPN staff
April 3, 2013
Rory McIlroy wants to improve his course management © Getty Images
Enlarge

Rory McIlroy has explained the reason why he believes the Texas Open can provide useful preparation for The Masters, insisting he needs to pick his moments to attack.

McIlroy has not enjoyed a good start to the 2013 season, most recently finishing tied for 45th at the Shell Houston Open. It was during that tournament that he decided to add the Texas Open to his schedule.

The former world No. 1's appearance in San Antonio raised eyebrows due to the disparity in course conditions between the Texas Open and The Masters. The Oaks Course is notoriously tight and windy, giving McIlroy little taste of what he will face at Augusta National.

Nevertheless, he is convinced that any golf course can provide good practice in shot selection and positioning. That is why he will be fine-tuning this week.

"The big thing is course management," McIlroy said. "Leaving my ball on the right side of the pins when I am going into the greens and if I miss the greens trying to get it up and down.

"Those are all the things I will face next week at Augusta. You've got to know when to not take on pins. Augusta is a little more generous off the tee than it is here but that is a good thing."

McIlroy will be joined at the Texas Open by Ian Poulter, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and defending champion Ben Curtis.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices