Rory McIlroy spoke about his somewhat controversial pre-tournament preparations after successfully defending his Masters title, a decision that has sparked plenty of debate amongst fans.
On Sunday evening, the Irishman made history by becoming just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters titles.
He joined the elite group of Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Tiger Woods (2001-02) after claiming a one-shot victory over former winner Scottie Scheffler.
Earlier this week, McIlroy admitted he skipped tournaments leading up to the Masters so he could practice at Augusta.
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“I did a couple of days where I dropped (daughter) Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her or Erica (his wife) probably,” he said.
“I felt it was a better use of my time than going to Houston or San Antonio. Between the Players and starting on Thursday, I’ve been on this golf course, like Monday, Tuesday last week, then Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday."
“I was up here for a day the week before as well," added McIlroy. "I’ve been on this golf course so much the last three weeks and that’s been a combination of practice and chipping and putting around greens."
Of course, champions are allowed to play practice rounds with an Augusta National member; that's the rules. But as a result, some questioned whether McIlroy had an unfair advantage over the rest of the field.
And that debate only intensified on Sunday evening, when the 36-year-old was asked whether this was the most prepared he felt at a major.
Once again, McIlroy spoke about playing the course ahead of the main event.
"I joked last week and going into this week that this place feels like my home course. I haven't played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks, really," he said in Sunday's post-round press conference.
"I felt prepared in that way. I felt prepared that wherever I hit it on the golf course, I sort of knew what to do. I know where to miss. I'm pretty comfortable with all the shots around the greens.
"I’m not going to take three weeks off before every major, but to get to the major venues early, do your preparation, and play. And not just play and look at things—actually play. Go out there with one ball, shoot a score, try to do it that way.
"I've talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years about how he prepared for majors, and he would go the week before, and he would simulate a tournament. He'd play one ball for four days, shoot scores. So then when he got to the tournament, it was sort of – it felt second nature to him."
"I did a little bit of that leading up to here, and I think that's certainly a good way to prepare going into the next majors," added McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy's comments in press conference spark 'unfair advantage' debate on social media
As expected, McIlroy's aforementioned comments on his pre-tournament preparations got people talking.
One fan said: "So he actually admitted he had an unfair advantage over the rest of the field like I've been saying all weekend. Clear example that the rules need to change. The competitive disparity is too large not to do something about this."
A second commented: "Jack and Tiger did it, and the PGA allows it. He’s not breaking any rules. So more power to him," and a third wrote: "Feel like skipping tournaments so you can practice for a bigger one three weeks straight should not be allowed."
A fourth said: "The hate he is getting for doing the same as many of Golf's greats is amazing. Tiger never played the little tournaments; he never played the week before a major...unless it suited him. Rory is obsessed by the Masters and prioritised it, great champion."
A fifth added: "Are there limits or rules to how many times a player can play a course leading up to the major? So he skipped tournaments leading up to it and went full time on Augusta? Does this set a bad precedent to pull stars out of tournaments?"
Thoughts on the controversy? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Rory Mcilroy
Jack Kenmare