Rory McIlroy spoke Tuesday about his 2013 Masters, how he feels about his Nike clubs and on his relationship with Tiger Woods.
First, McIlroy, who finished second at last week's Texas Open, talked about how special it is to be in Augusta:
I'm a very privileged position, I'm lucky to be out here doing what I'm doing.
Then on the Texas Open last week:
I got what I wanted out of it in terms of playing more competitive golf. I think a bonus was getting into contention and I thought how I played when I got into contention was pretty pleasing.
Doral was the place I felt like I turned the corner with my golf swing. Last week wasn't about golf swing, it was just about getting competitive play. I felt like I accomplished that.
On Tiger Woods:
I don’t see myself as a rival to Tiger or to anyone in that fact. When you speak of rivals you tend to speak of rivals who have had similar success. He’s got 77 Tour titles; I’ve got six. He’s got 14 majors; I’ve got two. If I saw myself a rival to Tiger, I wouldn't be doing him much justice.
And on how he feels about his game this week:
Would anything less than a win be a disappointment this week? Yeah, it would be.
I've always said the main golf season is from the start of April to the end of August. That's when I want to play my best golf.
He also talked about how much he loves the Masters:
Growing up watching this on TV, it's a special place. It's a place that's very special to me and very special to probably a lot of people in this room. I don't know if I can explain it, every time you drive in the gates here is a big thrill.
It's my favorite tournament of the year.
On 14-year-old Guan Tianlang:
He could play in, what, 60 Masters? What's this, the 77th? So he could actually double it, really.
And finally on his Nike clubs:
They're a part of me.
I agree with him on that last issue; the clubs are a nonissue now. McIlroy has two top-10s in his last three events and is now searching for his first top-10 finish at the Masters.
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