HOUSTON March 27, 2025: Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy are using this week's PGA Houston Open to prepare for the Masters, aiming for a title while fine-tuning their games for Augusta National.
McIlroy, who has won the Players and Pebble Beach this season, is playing Houston for the first time in 11 years. He recently visited Augusta National for a practice round and is focusing on his game in Houston while looking ahead to his pursuit of a career Grand Slam. "I want to get a card in my hand and shoot scores," McIlroy said, emphasizing his focus on competing this week rather than thinking about the Masters.
Scheffler, who was runner-up at Houston last year and has already won nine titles, including two Masters, is returning to form after missing the first month of the season due to injury. He sees Houston's Memorial Park course, with its rye grass fairways, as an excellent preparation for Augusta's conditions. Like McIlroy, Scheffler is focused on winning this week before looking ahead to the Masters, saying, "I try to focus as much as I can on the tournament at hand."