Rory McIlroy says what will be ‘different’ about Augusta National golf course this year for the Masters Tournament

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Rory McIlroy has explained how Augusta National will be ‘different’ to previous years at the upcoming Masters Tournament.

The Masters is the most popular event on the PGA Tour calendar, and fans are starting to get excited as the next edition is less than four weeks away.

Besides the world-class golf on show, some of the prestige comes down to the impeccable condition that Augusta is always in.

There are no concerns that the course won’t be as impressive this time around, but there have been some notable changes.

• READ MORE: Xander Schauffele’s chances at the Masters assessed following his PGA Tour return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIlroy explains Augusta National changes before the Masters

McIlroy answered questions about the Masters after his final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, March 9.

The Northern Irishman first revealed whether he will practice at Augusta before the tournament rolls around next month. “Yeah, I will,” he said.

McIlroy also explained the two key differences to the course after the effects of Hurricane Helene last October. “Yeah, I think it’s just going to be a little bit different this year.

“There are some areas of the course that are maybe a little thinner tree-wise, just with the hurricane that rolled through. 16 is a new green. So, yeah, I’ll probably go up there once or twice beforehand.”

Fans shouldn’t be concerned by the changes because they happen all the time. For example, the 12th hole at Augusta is very different to how it used to be.

• READ MORE: Brad Faxon wants change made to Augusta National golf course which some people will find ‘sacrilegious’

Rory McIlroy’s Masters Tournament preparation depends on Players Championship

There are three tournaments between the Players Championship and the Masters this year and McIlroy isn’t sure which, if any, he will play.

He admitted that his performance at The Players next week is likely to determine his schedule leading up to Augusta.

“Yeah, probably. I’ll see how next week goes and then, yeah, just sort of see what I feel like and what I think I need. But, yeah, nice thing is I don’t have to enter until the Friday before.”

It’s fair to assume that if McIlroy were to win The Players, he would then skip the Valspar Championship, Houston Open and Valero Texas Open.

On the other hand, if the world number two is unhappy with his display at TPC Sawgrass, perhaps he will compete in at least one of those events to build some more confidence.