Smith: "Rory McIlroy's 'injury' claim before 2025 Masters doesn't sound terribly convincing"

Rory McIlroy heads to Augusta National in two weeks for his latest attempt at completing the career grand slam at the 2025 Masters. 

McIlroy will arrive in Georgia in solid form, having won twice on the PGA Tour before April for the very first time in his career. 

The Northern Irishman produced his third top-five finish in a row with a solid outing at the Texas Children's Houston Open. 

He was in danger of missing the halfway cut but a flurry of birdies late in his second round ensured he could play all 72 holes. 

And over the weekend he managed to surge up the leaderboard with rounds of 65 and 64 to finish five behind champion Min Woo Lee. 

In the immediate aftermath of McIlroy's final tournament before the first major championship of the year, he said he had been experiencing some pain in his elbow. 

McIlroy also revealed that he tinkered with his driver again. 

What injury does Rory McIlroy have?

McIlroy told Golf Channel's Kira Dixon that he was experiencing some pain in his right elbow. 

He told Dixon that he may need to get some treatment on that over the next few days.

McIlroy also confirmed his long-time coach Michael Bannon will link up with the golfer this week to do some last-minute prep. 

Is Rory McIlroy trying to manage expectations already?

Elite professional golfers are particularly guarded on certain topics and, apart from their private lives, injuries are right at the top of the list of things they simply don't want to discuss. 

I remember last year when European Ryder Cup star Ludvig Aberg was asked an innocuous question about the knee pain he was experiencing and he shut down the question entirely. 

The injury was between him and his medical team, he said firmly. 

So to me, it simply doesn't pass the smell test that McIlroy has got a big issue. 

I'm not accusing McIlroy of telling porkies, but his comment hints at the golfer trying to manage expectations should he have a nightmare at Augusta. 

McIlroy finished tied 22nd at the 2024 Masters. He finished runner-up to Scottie Scheffler at the 2022 Masters and missed the cut two years ago. 

The closest he has come to slipping on the coveted green jacket was in 2011 when he slept on a four-shot lead after 54 holes. 

But McIlroy dramatically collapsed in the final round, shooting an 80 and finishing in a tie for 15th. 

Scottie Scheffler finding form again?

Reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler finished a stroke behind the aforementioned Lee at Memorial Park Golf Club. 

The 28-year-old world number one was forced to miss the start of the season after stabbing his hand on the stem of a wine glass over Christmas. 

In truth, he has not looked at his imperious best yet but the American equalled the course record in Houston with an 8-under 62 last Saturday to vault into contention. 

There is little doubt that Scheffler will feel overwhelmingly positive about his final event before the first major of the year.

Despite the finish, Scheffler told reporters there's still a few things that he wants to work on. 

"My ball-striking wasn't as sharp as I would have liked for it to have been this week," he said on Sunday.  

"But yesterday and today I felt like we're improving in the ball-striking"

He added: "I did some things that I really liked under the gun. Good pitch shot on 18 as well to still give myself a chance. 

"Did some things that I'll reflect on that were good and did some things that I can sharpen up a little bit."

Scheffler said he will be doing some work with his coach Randy over the next few days and he will head to Augusta on Sunday.