Rory McIlroy picks his favourite run of four holes at Augusta National where he really feels he can make birdies

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Rory McIlroy is back at Augusta National Golf Course this week, and back chasing an elusive win at The Masters.

McIlroy has been told his tee times are ‘not ideal’ by Paul McGinley, with the Northern Irishman paired with Ludvig Aberg and Akshay Bhatia in rounds one and two.

A four-time major champion, McIlroy is ‘excited to get going’ at The Masters, where he is making his 17th start.

His major drought is now into its 11th year, with the 35-year-old last triumphing at the 2014 PGA Championship.

That represented his second win at the competition, having also clinched success in 2012, with the 2011 US Open and the 2014 Open Championship also won by McIlroy.

Rory McIlroy names his favourite stretch of holes at Augusta National

His full focus is now on The Masters, with McIlroy having shared insight into his thoughts on the iconic Georgian course before the action gets underway.

Discussing his favourite stretch of holes at Augusta, he told The WHOOP Podcast: “Once you get past 12, you have a chance.

READ MORE: The Masters 2025: Predicting where Scottie Scheffer, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and every top player will finish at Augusta National

“13 is birdieable. You hit a good drive on 14 and 14 is birdieable. 15 is a par five. 16 is a par three and has the slope.

“So it’s a really exciting stretch of holes and you can make some birdies there. But you can also get into trouble as well. You have the creek on 13, you have the pond at the front of 15.

“There is always danger lurking but I think from an excitement standpoint, if you are having an average day but are hanging on and get through the 12th, you still feel you can shoot a good score because you have those holes coming up.”

Rory McIlroy can join legends with career Grand Slam at The Masters

McIlroy has, of course, come very close to breaking his disappointing major championship drought over the years.

And that includes his appearances at The Masters, with his best-ever finish coming via second place in 2022.

READ MORE: Phil Mickelson’s former caddie has some advice he would like to give Rory McIlroy before this year’s Masters starts

Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious that year, with the American going on to clinch the green jacket for a second time in 2024.

McIlroy is now out to end that title defence, which would mean completing the career Grand Slam and following in the footsteps of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.