RORY McILROY has teamed up with a leading psychologist as he looks to end his major drought at the Masters.
The Holywood man has not won a major since 2014, and was denied an end to the drought by Bryson deChambeau at last year’s US Open.
McIlroy will hope to end that wait at Augusta, and goes into the competition in fine form following his win at the Players Championship.
Watching the Irishman win at Sawgrass was Dr Bob Rotella, with whom McIlroy has teamed up in order to get into the “right state of mind”.
Rotella comes with a hefty reputation, having been part of Padraig Harrington’s inner circle when he won The Open in 2007.
He appeared on the ‘Musings on Golf‘ podcast to reflect on McIlroy’s latest victory and discussed his role with the two-time Olympian.
And he said: “Are we really glad that he did it? Yeah. Might it be helpful? Yeah. Might it have put on more pressure? Yeah.
“It’s all about getting in the right state of mind at the Masters. But yeah, it’s a really good thing, and we’re thrilled that he did it.
“I loved how he played and where he got his head… it’s another step in the right direction.
“But, you know, we’re probably going to spend as much time talking about the fact that whether you win the Masters or don’t, you’re going to have an unbelievable career.
“We’re probably going to find ways to take pressure off it so that he can win it.
“He’s doing everything humanly possible to give himself a chance. But he also understands there’s lots of other great players.”
The Down ace scooped a massive $4.5 million payday for the win at Sawgrass from the $20m purse on offer at PGA Tour HQ.
The win was the Northern Irishman’s second of the season after claiming the AT&T Pebble Beach Signature event.
And his full focus is now set on Augusta National as the battle for the green jacket is just weeks away.
The Masters gets underway on April 10, and the Holywood hotshot has confirmed that he’ll add an event to his schedule as he looks to end an 11 year wait for a fifth major title.
World number two McIlroy admitted that he’ll play one of two events before his trip to Georgia.
The three-time FedEx Cup winner is not on any of the next three entrant lists for the upcoming PGA Tour events ahead of the Masters.
But that will change as he’ll play the Texas Children’s Houston Open or the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
He stated: “It is a little too much [ time off]. I’ll play one or the other of the events in Texas – wether it’s Houston or San Antonio – I’m sure… yeah.”
