Rory McIlroy: Four-Time Major Winner Wants To Tighten The Game For Masters

Rory McIlroy plays a shot while training for the Zozo Championship in California

Rory McIlroy hopes that a good performance in the Zozo Championship will be the perfect preparation for his attempt to complete the Grand Slam at the Masters.

The world's number five, who did not win an event in 2020, had secured the other three majors in 2014 and will be back at Augusta next month.

"This is a chance to win and that would be a huge step," said McIlroy.

"To be in the fight to win would be great looking ahead (for the Masters) – trying to win under that pressure."

McIlroy has struggled to take shape since the return of golf after the Covid-19 lockdown, prompting the Masters from their April date.

Augusta is a track that McIlroy has visited many times out of competition and this could help with the colder temperatures of November.

No pressure

"My favorite times at Augusta were outside of the Masters, traveling there with my father," said the Northern Irishman.

"A lot of people feel the same way: if nothing is on the line, these are the best times.

" I have played it enough to know what to expect regardless of the temperature and the conditions are like.

"You need all aspects of your game to be in good shape, especially your short game. So by getting your short game in order, everything else will follow."