McIlroy looking forward to Augusta National

THE DAYS are being ticked off on the calendar towards Rory McIlroy’s first appearance in a major as a professional. Just over a fortnight to go. Yet, as the grey clouds hung over Lough Erne outside Enniskillen yesterday, the teenager – his curly locks still untouched by a barber’s scissors and the glint in his eyes espousing hope rather than gloom – spoke of his upcoming date with Augusta National as one to savour. No fear, no trepidation. Oh, and no word yet of a practice round with Tiger Woods.

McIlroy, who is due to play a reconnaissance visit to Augusta on Sunday en route to next week’s Houston Open, had originally intended to stay clear of the home of the US Masters until the week of the season’s first major. But, the more he listened to everyone, the more he understood the rationale and the benefit of changing those plans.

“Everybody couldn’t be wrong, I figured,” remarked McIlroy, adding: “I think it’s important that I get to know the course a little bit so that when I get there on the Monday (of the Masters), I don’t get lost. I don’t know where the locker-room is. I don’t know where to sign in. I don’t know where the players’ lounge is. It’s just an opportunity to get to know where everything is and to make it easier for myself. It’ll make it all an awful lot less stressful for me.”

And, before he flies out to the US on Saturday, McIlroy intends to text Mark O’Meara to organise a practice round. “I’ll definitely play a practice round with Mark and if Tiger joins, that’ll be great.”

Yesterday, McIlroy was at the Lough Erne Golf Resort to announce a challenge match against Pádraig Harrington – on July 22nd, three days after the final round of the British Open at Turnberry – which will officially open the Nick Faldo-designed course at the five-star facility in Co Fermanagh. Less than two years ago, the pair shared the same 18th green at Carnoustie, Harrington as winner of the claret jug and McIlroy as the winner of the silver medal as leading amateur in the 2007 British Open.

Much has changed since.

Before their date in July, both Harrington and McIlroy will have competed in three of the season’s four majors. And, although Harrington’s presence at the announcement was confined to a video link to the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando where the world number five is competing this week, the Dubliner provided some advice to global golf’s rising star.

With McIlroy listening intently, Harrington observed: “I think the main thing for Rory is not to feel like he has to cover everything in the week. It’d be impossible to cover all angles, it would take 10 years to do that. I’d say, ‘accept the week it is, accept the hype, the excitement’ . . . the course presents so many different challenges, and just be ready to play regardless on the Thursday morning.”

For sure, McIlroy has benefited immensely from his recent trip to the US that introduced him to an American audience. “I couldn’t believe the reaction. I mean, I was getting recognised in shopping malls. It was weird, but a nice position to be in. It was nice to play as well as I did. I started off really good in (the Accenture matchplay) in Arizona, I just came up against someone too good (losing to Geoff Ogilvy) and in the Honda I played better that my 13th (position). In Doral (the WGC-CA), I just got tired towards the end.”

To that end, McIlroy and his management handlers at ISM have, as the player put it, made “a conscious effort this next trip not to do as much, to do what you have to do but limit it so I don’t get burned out towards the end of the trip.”

The Masters is sandwiched between two other tournaments, next week’s Houston Open and the Heritage the week after Augusta. So, what does he make of many observers citing his potential to become the first debut winner since Fuzzy Zoeller? “You know what I’m like, I just go out to play. If I play well enough to win, I do. If I don’t, it is another valuable bit of experience I can bring to the Masters next year. I’ve plenty of years to win the Masters. I’m not saying I am not in a rush, but it’ll just be great to get some experience and if I play well it will be a bonus.”

And living at home, mixing with friends and family, has, he believes, helped him in a fledgling career that “has exceeded my own expectations. It’s been a bit of whirlwind to see where I’ve come in such a short space of time.”

The other day, he was stopped by a woman in the street. “You’re that wee golfer, aren’t you?”

“I am,” replied McIlroy.

“Ah, you’re doing great,” added the woman, and walked on.

Certainly, there’s no fear of McIlroy leaving his head in the clouds. His feet are still firmly on the ground.