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Rory McIlroy played Augusta on Monday before travelling to Texas for the Houston Open [Getty Images]
Rory McIlroy says he used a trip to Augusta on Monday "to 're-familiarise myself" with the famed Masters venue where he will once again attempt to complete the career Grand Slam in two weeks.
The Northern Irishman is competing at this week's Houston Open in his first event since clinching a second Players Championship title nine days ago.
His rivals this week include world number one Scottie Scheffler, who will defend the Masters title in just over a fortnight's time.
Since 2015, McIlroy has attempted to become only the sixth man to win all four major titles.
But despite six top-10 finishes in those 10 outings at the famed Georgia course during that period, his runners-up spot behind Scheffler in 2022, when the American never looked like being caught, is his best.
Storms in Georgia since last year's event have led to the loss of some trees - including around the par-three 16th hole - which McIlroy said he noted earlier this week.
"The loss of a few trees is definitely noticeable but in terms of, they've had to redo that green [the 16th], it's exactly the same as what it was," said the 35-year-old.
"The hole will play – apart from a few less shadows on the green late in the day because of the trees that were lost – pretty much the same."
'I tried to poke holes in my game'
The world number two also revealed three other greens have had to be "redone" but admitted the main benefit of the trip was getting a look at the layout in relative privacy.
"It's nice for me to play a practice round without people around and it sort of takes the pressure off the week for me," added McIlroy.
"There are a lot of obligations, there are big commitments whether it be from media or the par-three tournament on Wednesday, so I just like to get up there and feel like I'm not rushed on the Tuesday, Wednesday the week of the tournament."
But while the Masters is looming, and McIlroy will attempt to join an elite club that only includes Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, the four-time major winner insisted his focus is on clinching a third PGA Tour title of the season in Houston.
McIlroy won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month before his triumph at Sawgrass.
"It's not as if I'm playing here this week and thinking about two weeks' time," he said. "I'm here, I'm in the present, I'm trying to do my best this week and trying to win this golf tournament."
McIlroy has opted to play in Houston rather than next week's Valero Texas Open after deciding one more competitive start would aid his Masters challenge.
"It was great to get a win a couple weeks ago but I still feel I could have played a lot better," he added.
"I tried to poke holes in a lot of my game last week and think about things I could do better, and there were definitely things that I could work on or do better."
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