What next for Rory McIlroy? How he plans to prepare for The Masters after missing the cut at The Players | Golf News

Rory McIlroy missed the minimize by three pictures on The Gamers; The world No. 3 recorded rounds of 76 and 73 at TPC Sawgrass and can solely play the WGC-Dell Applied sciences Match Play till his closing Grand Slam bid on the Masters subsequent month.

Rory McIlroy insists he is able to be ‘a pure golfer’ once more and put together for his closing Grand Slam bid on the Masters after struggling an early shock exit at The Gamers.

McIlroy, who entered the PGA Tour’s showpiece occasion with an opportunity to go Jon Rahm as world No. 1, missed the minimize by three strokes after rounds 76 and 73 at TPC Sawgrass.

The 2019 Gamers’ Champion has served because the golf’s unofficial spokesperson for conventional excursions all through the game’s ongoing battle with LIV, with McIlroy additionally attending prolonged conferences and serving to to advertise the advantages of the golf’s schedule modifications. PGA Tour 2024 with its members.

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McIlroy says the emergence of LIV Golf has brought on the PGA Tour to rethink its technique and explains why the modifications may gain advantage all {of professional} golf

The PGA Tour confirmed this month that eight designated ‘no-cut’ occasions will happen subsequent yr, with participant fields lowered from 70 to 78 and raised, with McIlroy hoping extra time can now be spent on his personal efficiency.

“I’d like to be a golfer once more,” McIlroy admitted after his missed minimize. “Truthfully, it has been sort of a busy six or eight months. Like I stated initially of the week, it is all sort of been introduced now, and the wheels have been turned on, so clearly it ought to be settle down from right here.

McIlroy missed the minimize at The Gamers for the sixth time in his profession

“It is simply time administration. Golf right here is okay, nevertheless it’s simply extra time at residence to be sure you’re ready, to be sure you’re doing every thing you’ll be able to to be ready when you present up for these weeks.

“That is the place I perhaps sacrificed a little bit of time with a few of this different stuff. Like I stated, I am prepared to return to being a pure golfer once more.”

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McIlroy struggled to get a 76 four-over-par within the first spherical of The Gamers Championship at TPC Sawgrass

What was improper with McIlroy?

McIlroy endured an erratic time off the tee and a chilly putter on opening day – the place he misplaced 12 head pictures – and admitted after the spherical he was taking time to regulate to a brand new driver within the bag.

He additionally struggled along with his driver within the Genesis Invitational final month and within the first spherical of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, though he improved in his second spherical at The Gamers and did not have an excessive amount of common issues about his recreation.

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McIlroy says some PGA Tour members are indignant at modifications introduced this month

“Simply so so,” McIlroy stated of his efficiency. “I suppose the course, you simply need to be actually on to play nicely right here. When you’re a little bit behind, it undoubtedly amplifies the place you might be. It’s kind of of a conundrum.

“Some years I come right here, and I really feel prefer it’s simpler than others. It is only a difficult golf course, and you do not hit the fairways and you’ve got your work minimize out. plank.

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McIlroy double-bogeyed on the par-four sixth gap within the second spherical of the Gamers Championship after straightening his birdie putt

“Truly, I do not really feel like I am enjoying that badly in any respect. Just a few errors right here and there, just a bit messy right here and there. However hit the ball OK. Like I stated, this course, in case you are a little bit, undoubtedly grows the place you might be.”

The place will McIlroy play subsequent?

McIlroy shouldn’t be anticipated to play in one other stroke play occasion till the Masters subsequent month, along with his solely look set to be the WGC-Dell Applied sciences match play from March 22-26.

The four-time main champion has reached no less than the semi-finals on three events in his earlier 12 appearances, together with successful the 2015 contest, though he didn’t progress from the group stage in his final departure there in 2021.

McIlroy missed the five-day occasion in 2022 to retire two tournaments after The Gamers, opting to play the Valero Texas Open the week earlier than the opener of the lads’s main of the yr as a substitute, though he’s now returning to its conventional pre-Masters schedule.

Requested if he would think about including an additional occasion, McIlroy – who will likely be coaching in Augusta subsequent week – stated: “I did not notably prefer it. [Texas Open] final yr, so no, it is simply Match Play.”

McIlroy’s Grand Slam hopes

The 33-year-old will arrive at Augusta Nationwide as one of many pre-tournament favorites, a yr after ending second to Scottie Scheffler, with McIlroy having one other alternative to finish a profession Grand Slam.

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McIlroy produced an imposing closing spherical 64 on the Masters final April

McIlroy’s second-place end was his seventh top-10 end on the Masters with out selecting up an elusive victory, whereas his goal over the following month is to be prepared for his final try at main historical past.

“Ensuring my recreation is in good condition for Augusta,” McIlroy stated of his plan. “Ensuring I received all of the pictures. Ensuring I reacquaint myself with the golf course and get on it for a couple of days.

“From now till the start of April, it is nearly getting ready for Augusta.”

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McIlroy opened the 2023 Gamers Championship with a nightmarish double bogey on his first gap at TPC Sawgrass

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes he’s in a stronger place than ever to win a long-awaited fifth Main title and turn into the sixth male participant within the fashionable period to finish the Grand Slam.

“Hopefully there will likely be some relaxation between now and Augusta,” McGinley informed Golf Channel. “He is about to enter the Masters with extra possibilities of ending the Grand Slam than he has in 10 years.

“I feel he is a greater participant now than he is been within the final 10 years and I feel he is extra outfitted, from being a greater putter to being higher psychologically. He is a greater and extra skilled golfer than he ever was earlier than the Masters.”

Watch Rory McIlroy in motion on the WGC-Dell Applied sciences Match Play from March 22-26 and The Masters from April 6-9, solely reside on Sky Sports activities.