Rory McIlroy laughs with reporters as he reveals Masters plan

Rory McIlroy joked the only thing he wants to control is himself at this week's Masters.

McIlroy, 34, will be making his 10th attempt to win the career grand slam at Augusta National. 

The Northern Irishman comes into the first major of the year after producing his best finish on the PGA Tour this season. 

McIlroy finished solo third at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. 

"I definitely feel like I'm in a better place than I was a few weeks ago," McIlroy told reporters. 

He was alluding to the fact that, after winning in Dubai at the turn of the year, his game and results have been somewhat of a mixed bag. 

Related:

• Sir Nick Faldo on Rory McIlroy: "He stands up there with a wedge and we all cringe"
• Butch Harmon: I made sure McIlroy's coach was "okay" with pre Masters meeting
• ‘Absolute genius’ Harmon will have told McIlroy no one will beat him at Masters

McIlroy tied for 66th at the washed out AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in his first PGA Tour start of 2024. 

And he failed to register a top-10 finish until last week. 

A left miss with his irons developed and it led to McIlroy seeking the help of Tiger Woods' ex-coach Butch Harmon. 

GolfMagic recently had the opportunity to speak to Harmon and this is what he told us about what went down. 

"For me, I'm always going to be able to hit good shots, it's just how bad the bad ones are," McIlroy said. 

A reporter asked McIlroy: "There's so many uncontrollables and unknowns in this game, what do you want to be in control of next week?"

McIlroy joked: "Myself."

He added: "Control of myself, control of my emotions and my thoughts. 

"If I can control those, it makes the physical control of everything a lot easier and a lot more simple. 

"Yeah, just to me next week is all about discipline, about staying in control of yourself and in control of what you can control. If I can do that well, then the rest will follow."

Rory McIlroy Masters record:

2009: T-20

2010: MC

2011: T-15

2012: T-40

2013: T-25

2014: T-8

2014: 4

2016: T-10

2017: T-7

2018: T-5

2019: T-21

2020: T-5

2021: -

2022: 2

2023: MC

Read next:

• Renowned golf coach on LIV/Masters theory: "To say that is just wrong"
• Brooks Koepka: "I kept telling everybody, but nobody believed me"