Rory McIlroy: Pre-Masters success not vital
February 22, 2018
Rory McIlroy insists he does not have to win a tournament ahead of The Masters to have a chance of claiming overall glory at the first major of the year.
The past four Masters champions have claimed the prestigious Green Jacket of the back of winning an event in the build-up to the tournament.
McIlroy, however, has not won a tournament on either the PGA Tour or European Tour since September 2016 but the Northern Irishman does not think success ahead of the first major of the year is a must.
“I feel like (trying to win) is putting yourself under an awful lot of pressure,” McIlroy said.
“Obviously if you do win one, it makes you feel a little better about yourself going there but I don’t want to put myself under that pressure because there’s enough going into Augusta.”
The 28-year-old believes the difference between winning a tournament and missing out are so slim that he cannot afford to get too worried about it.
“I think as long as you know that your game is in good shape and you’re happy with all aspects then you don’t have to win a tournament,” he added.
“The margins between winning and losing are so fine, you could be really happy with your game one week and finish 10th.”
McIlroy’s next chance of securing tournament glory comes at this week’s Honda Classic. The four-time major winner is priced at 11.00 to win a tournament he last secured in 2012.
