Rory McIlroy – I love Augusta

Rory McIlroy embarks on his latest quest for a Major with more confidence and experience than ever.

Six birdies in the last 10 holes and a back nine of 31. That’s how Rory McIlroy signed off in style at his first Masters Tournament last April. He finished tied 20th in a group containing 2008 champion Trevor Immelman, Paul Casey, Anthony Kim, Ian Poulter and 1988 champion Sandy Lyle. How’s that for keeping exalted company on your debut?

So, presumably, McIlroy feels inspired by the very mention of Augusta National. Maybe a top 10 would be a realistic goal this year in only his second appearance. Hang realism. McIlroy is now a 20-year-old hovering around the top 10 in the world rankings and his goals reflect his rapid rise through the game and the confidence he has in his own ability. He’s in a hurry to be fitted for a Green Jacket.

“I love Augusta and I’d like to think I can win the Masters in 2010,” he says. “I feel the course suits my game and if I walk off the last green finishing 20th like I did in 2009 I will be disappointed.” How’s that for an early-season statement of intent? “I don’t want to put too much expectation on myself but this year could be great,” he continues, putting pressure on himself. “Not just for me but for a lot of British and European players,” he adds, as if he has just realised the magnitude of his statement and decided to seek safety and modesty in numbers.

But he just can’t contain his enthusiasm. “I got a taste for the Majors in 2009 and had a couple of nice finishes. It will be great going to the Majors in 2010 with thoughts of winning.” He catches what he’s saying again. It’s as if he has another voice in his head telling him no to get too carried away. Or, at least if he is, to keep it to himself.

“It is all very well talking about it, but going out and doing it is very different,” he says, just in case anyone thinks he thinks winning the Masters is easy. McIlroy turned up early for the 2009 Masters “to get the wow factor out of the way”. But, he admits, his first drive down Magnolia Drive and his first tee shot off the 1st wasn’t quite as awe-inspiring or daunting as he had been led to believe by season campaigners. “Maybe it’s because I’m so young,” he says in his defence. And, to be fair, McIlroy’s knowledge of the history of the Masters, or at least watching it on television, only starts in 1996. Yes, that’s how young he is. “The first Masters I can really remember was Faldo beating Norman in 1996,” McIlroy says. “But I can describe every one of Tiger’s shots from 1997 if you like.”

“Last year I was just going to the Masters to enjoy that big stage. This year, if they don’t make major changes to the course (they haven’t) then I’ll be looking to do well.” Last year, McIlroy went to Augusta as the front cover star of Sports Illustrated’s Masters preview. This year, it’s the review issue that he covets. “I know the last guy to win at Augusta at his first attempt was Fuzzy Zoeller.” McIlroy wasn’t sure of the year. It was 1979. “It would be great if I could do it in just my second.”

If he could, then McIlroy’s world would change even faster than it has been in the past 12 months. But he is happy to embrace whatever success throws at him.

“I enjoy being the centre of attention,” he says. “I know sacrifices will have to be made, but that’s what happens when you are trying to be the best player. I’m getting recognised more, but I can still go out to the pub with my mates back home in Belfast or to the cinema.” Success on the course has made the young man a millionaire. In the past year, he has bought his parents a new home and paid for holidays, and moved in to his own country pile complete with a 14-acre estate and a practice ground. He drives a Lamborghini and has gifts delivered to his hotel rooms. He gets chocolate cakes in Dubai but has no idea why. “That sort of thing wasn’t happening 12 months ago,” he says smiling. “After I won in Dubai (the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic), I got to play wherever I wanted.

That was the point I realised my life had changed.” More life changes await in 2010, as McIlroy will be living out of hotels across the United States having taken up membership of the PGA Tour. “Last year was great but I only won once,” he says. “This year, I’d like to win a couple of times on the European Tour and on the PGA Tour. And top five is a big goal now. But I know it’s a lot harder to move from 10th to fifth than it is from 40th to 20th. I want to challenge myself against the best,” he says. “I’ll improve and become more comfortable in that environment which will help me to challenge for Majors.”

McIlroy took the decision to play in the States against the advice of his manager Chubby Chandler and stable-mates Ernie Els and Lee Westwood. A further example, if one were needed, that McIlroy is a young man who already knows his own mind and knows how good he is. While he is happy to seek advice, he knows that, to be a champion, he may well have to stand alone from the crowd.

McIlroy has only just teed off on the front nine of his career, but already he is thinking about his legacy. “You do want to leave your mark on the game and create history,” he says. “My main objective is to be better than everyone else. And I’d like to be remembered for playing the Seve way rather than the Faldo way. Nothing against Nick, but I think Seve had a lot more fans than Nick. Seve was the catalyst for European golf. He was the man.”

The boy has ambition – and style.