Masters 2009 McIlroy interview

Rory McIlroy says he is not easily overwhelmed and sees no reason why he should let the occasion get the better of him when he tees off in his first Masters on Thursday at just 19 years old.

Here we reveal his thoughts as he begins his Masters adventure.

Q: How are you coping with your new star status?

A: I love it. You know you are doing something right when so many people are talking about you.

Q: What are your first impressions of Augusta National?

A: There’s already a great atmosphere. It’ a week I just want to enjoy. I am expecting to play well and hopefully I’ll be in the mix come the weekend.

Q: You’ve tested your short game against the course a bit – what’s your initial thoughts? Do you have the game?

A: I spin my chip shots a lot – it sets up well for me in that respect. But you can hit those shots and think you are going to go a few feet past the hole, only to end up 20 feet past. There are also going to be a lot of three to eight feet putts for par and you have to make those. You have to be able to hit lots of different shots.

Q: You are one of three 19-year-olds in the field this week – how dos that feel?

A: It feels great. We are all Man United fans – so we were happy with the result at the weekend! I don’t feel like a 19-year-old I feel like I have matured a lot by being on Tour at such a young age.

Q:Are you going to get your hair cut… if so, when?

A: I don’t know. It’s starting to annoy me a bit. I might get it cut after this stint.

Q: How would you react if you were in the final group with Tiger on Sunday?

A: It would be an occasion I would relish. That’s what you practise so hard for. But you’ve just got to go out and play. All you can control is your own golf ball and if you can control that well enough, everything else takes care of itself.