27 March 2023 , 16:22
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Golf star Rory McIlroy has taken "tons of positives" away from this weekend's WGC Match Play after beating world No.1 Scottie Scheffler in the third-place play-off.
The Northern Irish star finished runner-up behind Scheffler at Augusta National and said he is 'more positive' than last year going into next week's major tournament. McIlroy missed the cut at the Players Championship sparking fears over his form going into the Masters.
However, the world No.2 responded in style winning six of seven matches at the WGC Match Play - only losing during an extra hole against Cameron Young in the semi-final after watching his opponent fight back from two down with three to play..
"There are a ton of positives to take away," McIlroy told Sky Sports after beating Scheffler in the third-place play-off.
"If you had told me I would make it to the Sunday of the Match Play last week I would have taken that. I think my game is in really good shape so just keep it ticking over, work on the shots I need for Augusta and away we go."
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McIlroy has won every major except the Masters having finished in the top-10 seven times in the last nine years. Twelve months ago the Northern Irish star came closest to completing the career Grand Slam but finished three shots behind Scheffler.
Rory McIlroy is positive going into next week's Masters after a successful WGC Match Play tournament (Getty Images)“I’m a lot more confident going into Augusta than I was last year, and last year was my best-ever finish," McIlroy added. "The one thing about Augusta is you can’t go in too over confident.
“But I feel like I’m driving the ball better, I’ve got a driver I’m more comfortable with and my putting really progressed as the week went on here.”
McIlroy has already begun his Masters preparation and visited Augusta National ahead a disappointing Players Championship.
Rory McIlroy had a new putter and driver shaft at last week's WGC Match Play tournament (Getty Images)Will Rory McIlroy win next week's Masters? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section
According to reports on the ground the golf star had a scintillating opening round and had only 19 putts throughout. McIlroy appeared to neither confirm or deny the rumour when questioned about his time at Augusta National.
"Yeah, look, I had two good days,” he told the Telegraph's James Corrigan. “We played 54 holes in two days, it was good. I was really happy where my game was, and it was good to see that after struggling at The Players."
McIlroy proved why he is tipped for Masters success after playing an “incredible” 349-yard drive on his way to beating Denny McCarthy in the match play competition. The star's change of fortune could be down to a new putter and driver shaft which he was armed with at last week's tournament.