McIlroy chases golf history at ‘outlier’ Augusta National

The atmosphere might not rival the serene, almost spiritual ambience that McIlroy experienced during a non-tournament week at the fabled course, but it certainly harks back to a more dignified — and less digitized — age in sports and life.

“It’s pure golf,” says four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods — the player most bedeviled by boisterous fans who at most venues these days are so busy snapping selfies they barely have time to watch him hit a shot.

Not only are Augusta’s “patrons” encouraged, if not required, to act with decorum outside the ropes, the throng of media that follows him is not allowed inside.

“Some of the events, like the Open Championship — because the golf courses are so old that there’s not a lot of room — there’s sometimes 75 to 100 people inside the ropes following us,” Woods said. “That gets a little distracting and it gets a little difficult at times.

“Here, it’s just us playing and you see some of the greatest golf you’ve ever seen here. I think that’s one of the reasons why.”

Mobile phones are prohibited, with those breaking the rule escorted off the grounds.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley knows the policy makes the club “an outlier” but he thinks patrons appreciate it.

“It’s refreshing,” McIlroy said of seeing fans who “don’t constantly have their face in the device.”

There’s no running, no sprawled in the sun sleeping, and no fan photography at the Masters, no “You da man” bombast and — if the marshalls have their way — no applauding of a less popular player’s poor shot.

It all creates an atmosphere like none other in modern golf, but it’s the course itself that makes the Masters the ultimate experience for some of golf’s greatest.

“Some of my best shots I’ve ever pulled off have been here,” Woods said of a course that is a test of creativity — and the ability to pull off a seemingly outlandish shot — as much as the US Open is a test of stamina.

– ‘Whatever you can imagine’ –

“Augusta National allows you to do pretty much whatever you can imagine in your mind in each situation,” said Spain’s Jon Rahm, who tees off in his third Masters alongside 14-time major champion Woods and China’s Li Haotong at 11:04 am (1504 GMT).

McIlroy headlines the next group, teeing off at 11:15 alongside American Rickie Fowler and Australian Cameron Smith.

World number one Justin Rose of England tees off in the penultimate group at 1:49 along with three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson and American Justin Thomas, while two-time reigning US Open champion and 2018 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka goes off in the final group at 2pm alongside England’s Paul Casey and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth.

It’s McIlroy’s fifth chance to become just the sixth player to win all four of golf’s professional majors — and this year’s Masters is widely considered his to lose.

In addition to his blistering form, McIlroy brings a wealth of Augusta experience that includes top-10 finishes in each of the past five years.

“This is my 11th year here. If I haven’t figured it out by now, there’s something wrong,” said McIlroy, who also enjoys a course that “forces you to be creative”.

“I think that’s one of the great things about Augusta National — you can’t help but be creative and see things, and that’s one of the really fun things about this place.”