Rory McIlroy admits what changed for him on the driving range ahead of day three at The Masters which he really loved seeing

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Rory McIlroy looks like a man on a mission this week as he’s in the best place possible to finally win that green jacket at Augusta National.

McIlroy’s brilliant third round 66 put him within touching distance of winning for the first time at Augusta National and with a four shot cushion to third place Corey Conners, McIlroy is in the driving seat.

Of course, Bryson DeChambeau might well have something to say about things.

But for McIlroy, it’s all about controlling the controllable and he’s revealed that in the last 24 hours or so, certain things have clicked into place for him.

Rory McIlroy says he saw a big improvement on the range ahead of round three at The Masters

Speaking to the media after his third round 66, McIlroy was in fine form as he revealed a few secrets behind his excellent day.

And in particular, he disclosed how something clicked on the range for him.

“Yeah, I was fast on the range. You know, that’s — talking about even that anxious energy that built up, I was probably three or four miles an hour faster on the range than I have been all week, which is nice. So I knew I didn’t have to worry about the bunker on 1 or 2 if I just made a good swing,” McIlroy admitted.

“It wasn’t really about being aggressive. It was just, you know — it was making good, committed swings and knowing that if I did that, I could set myself up on those first few holes.”

McIlroy then went into detail about the discussions he’d had with sports psychologist Bob Rotella, a man he’s leaned on over the week on more than one occasion.

And after speaking to him after his poor finish in round one, McIlroy revealed a bit more of their conversation.

“That was my message to him, actually [not to go chasing]. I actually said that to him. Yeah, look, the message going into today was just keep doing the same thing. You know, we’ve had the chats. We’ve had the — there’s nothing new here,” McIlroy continued.

“It’s go out there, and you know, I’ve talked about trying to chase a feeling out there, you know, if I can have that feeling. And if I can go home tonight and look in the mirror before I go to bed and be like, that’s the way I want to feel when I play golf, that, to me, is a victory.”

• READ MORE: What Bryson DeChambeau was spotted doing right after his third round at The Masters

What Rory McIlroy planning to change in his golf game ahead of the final round

While it might seem a bit of a stretch to look at a round of 66 and think what could be done better, Rory McIlroy still believes there’s room for improvement.

Despite going six under par, McIlroy did let a few shots go and in particular, on the greens, he admits he didn’t quite give himself the best chances.

“I think my iron play and approach play was really solid today. I drove the ball well with the driver. I hit a couple of squirly three woods. But if I can keep the ball striking the way it was.

“I feel like I left myself above the hole a lot, so I couldn’t be aggressive with some putts. So maybe just be a bit more aware of that, and try and leave myself below the hole a bit more tomorrow but overall a great day,” McIlroy conceded.

Making putts is huge at Augusta and if McIlroy can roll a few in early doors, then he might just have enough in the tank to see off DeChambeau.