Rory McIlroy highlighted what his main issue is with Patrick Reed as he gears up to battle it out with LIV Golf players at The Masters.
In the build-up to the Dubai Desert Classic in January, Reed flicked a LIV -branded tee at McIlroy and branded him an "immature" child after he was blanked by the Northern Irishman on the driving range. The European star later explained that his decision to blank his Ryder Cup rival came after he was served with a court subpoena by the player's lawyer on Christmas Eve.
And ahead of the first major of the year, in an interview with The Guardian, McIlroy seemed to reignite his feud with Reed from earlier this season. The 33-year-old, arguably the PGA Tour's biggest voice against the threat of LIV, said: “My problem with Patrick isn’t that he joined LIV,” he said. “It’s other stuff.”
Fans will have a keen eye on the 18 LIV rebels competing at The Masters as those from the Saudi-backed circuit will do their utmost to try and spoil the party. Cameron Smith won The Open last summer before joining LIV and as he aims to win a second major, McIlroy shared his thoughts on any potential interactions with his rivals.
“If Cam and I end up going at it in Augusta, is there an added element for the viewing public? 100%.," the world No. 2 said. "But for Cam and I, it will only be about trying to win the Masters. That’s what it comes down to. I’ve been asked about getting paired with any of the LIV guys. We are all in our own heads enough, trying to be prepared and trying to win arguably the biggest tournament in the world that the other stuff pales in comparison to the achievement of winning a Masters.”
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McIlroy is gearing up for another Masters campaign in which he will bid to win his maiden Green Jacket. The 33-year-old achieved his best result at Augusta last year, finishing runner-up and three shots behind the champion and current world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Rory McIlroy is bidding to win an elusive Green Jacket at Augusta this week (AP)Heading into the 2023 edition, McIlroy is feeling confident about his game and believes he can enjoy another good run at the Masters. "I’m a lot more confident going into Augusta than I was last year, and last year was my best-ever finish," he told Sky Sports.
"The one thing about Augusta is you can’t go in too over confident. But I feel like I’m driving the ball better, I’ve got a driver I’m more comfortable with and my putting really progressed as the week went on here."
After some encouraging practice sessions at Augusta, McIlroy defeated Scheffler to finish third at last month's WGC Match Play - a very positive performance in his eyes.
"There are a ton of positives to take away," he added. "If you had told me I would make it to the Sunday of the Match Play last week I would have taken that. I think my game is in really good shape so just keep it ticking over, work on the shots I need for Augusta and away we go."
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