Rory McIlroy Fine-Tunes Game Ahead of Genesis Invitational
World number two Rory McIlroy expresses satisfaction with his game as he prepares to compete in the Genesis Invitational at the prestigious Riviera Country Club. The Northern Irishman is eager to secure his first victory at this iconic tournament, using it as crucial preparation for defending his Masters title in April.
McIlroy will tee off on Thursday alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa, fresh off Morikawa’s impressive win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last Sunday. While McIlroy finished tied for 14th at Pebble Beach, five strokes behind Morikawa, he showcased a strong final round with a remarkable 64.
Shaking Off Rust and Building Confidence
“I’m working through that first bit of the year where I’m trying to shake a bit of rust off,” McIlroy stated. “I learnt a lot about my game last week. I played well for a lot of it but made some big numbers which put me out of contention on Sunday.”
Despite the setbacks, McIlroy remains optimistic. “I feel there is enough good in there for me to be encouraged going out there this week. I think the fact that I’m hitting a lot of good shots, putting it close and converting a lot of putts, that has to give me confidence not just for this week but going forward.”
Riviera Course Changes Draw Criticism
During Wednesday’s practice round, McIlroy voiced his disapproval of a recent alteration to the par-three fourth hole at Riviera. The hole has been extended from 237 yards to 273 yards, a change McIlroy deems “horrible.”
“I don’t think it plays any differently, you’re just hitting a slightly longer club… actually I think it’s a horrible change,” he commented. He further explained that the extension doesn’t improve the playability, and the current grass type isn’t suitable for the increased distance. “It can’t be kikuyu, it has to be another type of grass that can help you run it on to the green.”
Looking Ahead to the Masters
McIlroy’s best finish at the Genesis Invitational came four years ago, where he tied for 10th. He’s hoping to build on that performance and gain valuable momentum as he prepares to defend his title at the Masters, a tournament he’s long sought to win. His focus remains on refining his game and capitalizing on his strengths.
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