Golf

Rory McIlroy seeks Butch Harmon’s advice as he hones his game for Masters

Irishman elects to return to action in San Antonio a week before he returns to Augusta

Rory McIlroy: will be making just his third appearance at Valero Texas Open. He finished runner-up in 2013 and missed the cut in 2022. Photograph: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy: will be making just his third appearance at Valero Texas Open. He finished runner-up in 2013 and missed the cut in 2022. Photograph: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Philip Reid
Wed Apr 03 2024 - 19:58

The different routes taken by players to next week’s Masters tournament is reflected in the field for the Valero Texas Open.

Among those to have stayed away is world number one Scottie Scheffler; among those who have pencilled the event into their calendar is Rory McIlroy, who will be making just his third appearance at the event. He finished runner-up in 2013 and missed the cut in 2022.

For Séamus Power and Pádraig Harrington, who is playing on the PGA Tour for the second straight week on a sponsor’s invitation, the only way to gatecrash Augusta would be by winning in San Antonio, where the final spot – if won by a player not already exempt – is available.

McIlroy has struggled for form on the PGA Tour this year and has said he consulted revered coach Butch Harmon as he prepares to make his 10th attempt to complete a career grand slam.

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“I went last week to see Butch Harmon for a golf lesson,” McIlroy told PGA Tour professional Morgan Hoffmann on the “I Can Fly” podcast.

“I’ve seen him over the years, like once every few years I’ll say, ‘Hey, Butch, can I just come see you and you can take a look and see what you think.’”

McIlroy added that as he was leaving for the airport – Harmon is based in Las Vegas – his daughter Poppy asked him where he was going.

When he said he was going for a golf lesson, McIlroy said: “She said, ‘Dada, you already know how to play golf.’ That’s probably the best piece of advice I’ve gotten in the last three years.”

McIlroy’s long-time coach is fellow Northern Irishman Michael Bannon and he is believed to be still working with Bannon, although the four-time major winner has also worked with Pete Cowen.

Speaking before the Players Championship last month, where he carded an opening 65 before fading to a tie for 19th, McIlroy revealed the reasons behind his current struggles.

“I have this amazing feeling with my woods at the minute, but when I try to recreate that feeling with the irons, it starts left and goes further left,” McIlroy said.

“I have a swing thought for my woods and I need a different swing thought for my irons and that’s what I’ve been working on over the last couple of days. I feel like every other part of the game is in great shape.”

Valero Texas Open lowdown

Purse: €8.5 million (€1.6 million to the winner)

Where: San Antonio, Texas, USA

The course: TPC San Antonio – the Oaks course, 7,438 yards, par 72 – was designed by Greg Norman in consultation with Sergio Garcia, while Pete Dye also had an input, so there are a number of different characteristics incorporated in the long layout. Although created out of the rocky terrain, it is a relatively flat, tree-lined course with wide fairways. The signature hole is the par-3 16th which features a bunker in the centre of the green. This is the 15th time that the Oaks layout hosts the tournament.

The field: This is the last-chance saloon for many players seeking to get the one remaining invitation to next week’s Masters, which will go to the winner. Indeed, two of the last four winners earned last-gasp exemptions into the Major (Corey Conners in 2019 and JJ Spaun in 2022) via that route. There are four of the world’s top-10 in the field – McIlroy, Åberg, Brian Harman and Max Homa – while the likes of former FedEx Cup winner Billy Horschel, along with Harrington and Power, are among those needing a win to earn that ticket down Magnolia Lane.

Quote-Unquote: “It’s definitely a place I feel comfortable, a place I’m happy walking around. Definitely lots of good vibes and lots of good memories that I can draw from out there. Really like the golf course, it’s in great shape again this year and definitely really fun to be back. I’m excited to give it a good run again this year” – defending champion Corey Conners.

Betting: With many opting to take a week off ahead of the Masters, world number two McIlroy is the headline act. The Northern Irishman is rated the 8-1 favourite as he looks for a pre-Masters boost while Åberg is a 10-1 shot. Conners (winner in 2019 and again last year) is available at 20-1, while tempting each-way shouts can be made for Aaron Rai (55-1) and JJ Spaun (125-1).

On TV: Sky Sports Golf (from 1.15pm).

Philip Reid

Philip Reid

Philip Reid is Golf Correspondent of The Irish Times