'The Loss Of A Few Trees Is Definitely Noticeable' - Rory McIlroy On What He Learned From Augusta National Practice Round Ahead Of 2025 Masters
The four-time Major winner made a trip to Augusta National earlier this week in preparation for The Masters


Rory McIlroy heads to The Masters in two weeks time as second-favorite behind defending champion Scottie Scheffler, where the Northern Irishman will make his 11th attempt at completing the career grand slam.
McIlroy has been at Augusta National this week to "refamiliarize" himself with the course and have a quiet practice round away from the cameras and patrons.
The 35-year-old spoke to media ahead of the Texas Children's Houston Open, where he explained that he enjoys heading to Augusta early to avoid feeling rushed during Masters week.
"Not really. I use those trips just to refamiliarize myself with the place, clubs off tees, looking to see if they changed any greens," he said when asked if anything stood out from his visit.
"Apart from that, honestly for me, it's nice to play a practice round without people around and it sort of takes the pressure off the start of the week for me.
"There's a lot of obligations, there's big commitments whether it be from media or the par-3 tournament on Wednesday.
"I just like to get up there and feel like I'm not rushed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday the week of the tournament and that's usually the reason I go there."
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McIlroy finished T22nd at the 2024 Masters
The World No.2 revealed that Augusta National has four new greens this year and a thinning of the trees is noticeable after last September's devastating Hurricane Helene.
One of those greens that has been rebuilt is on the par 3 16th after pine trees fell onto the surface during the Hurricane.
"There's four greens that are new this year that they've redone. You just sort of, you have a look at those and see if there's any new hole positions they give you, stuff like that," he said.
"Yeah, the loss of a few trees is definitely noticeable, but in terms of like they've had to redo that green [the 16th] but it's exactly the same as what it was.
"Apart from maybe a few less shadows on the green late in the day because of a couple of trees that were lost, but apart from that, it's pretty much the same."
Rory McIlroy went on a scouting mission to Augusta National on Monday ahead of his latest bid for a fifth major title 🔍 pic.twitter.com/hz3kTK7QzMMarch 26, 2025
McIlroy makes his first start since his second Players Championship win two weeks ago, where he defeated JJ Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff on the Monday. He says Augusta is on his mind this week but he's focused on trying to win his 29th PGA Tour title in Houston.
He makes his first start since his Players Championship win earlier this month this week in Houston
"I just want to get a card in my hand and shoot scores and hopefully get myself in contention and try to win another golf tournament," he said.
"It's not as if I'm playing here this week and thinking about two weeks' time. I'm here, I'm in the present, I'm trying to do my best this week and trying to win this golf tournament.
"I think just competitive reps. I'm obviously playing well, I want to keep playing well, so I think every round you play where you see good things you're sort of filling up that confidence bucket a little bit, so I want to see that.
The Northern Irishman makes his first Houston Open start since 2014
"It was great to get a win a couple weeks ago but I still feel I could have played a lot better. 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.
"It's a good opportunity to go out and see if some of the work I did at home and I'm continuing to do here, hopefully it's all going in the right direction."

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
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