Rory McIlroy leaving no stone unturned in quest for his maiden green jacket

Rory McIlroy hasn't won a major since 2014, and has never been victorious at the Masters. He came incredibly close when he finished a few shots behind Scottie Scheffler in 2022. This year, he's going all in to win the elusive green jacket.

Per NUCLRGOLF on Twitter, Rory McIlroy is taking his preparation to a new level:

"Rory McIlroy already scouted 54 holes at Augusta National and today he’s back for even more preparation. Rory is going all out in search for his 1st green jacket."

Ahead of the Masters, more preparation isn't the only thing McIlroy has done. He also changed a ton of equipment.

He said via Golf Monthly:

“Driver was good. Driver was really good. I'm much happier with where I am there. Obviously off the tee is such an important part of the game for me."

He knew he needed to do something after an abysmal performance in the Players Championship:

“I knew I just needed to change it up a bit going back to a driver length that I'm a little more comfortable with. But the thing is, going to 44 inch driver with the previous shaft I was using I was too stiff and I couldn't spin it.

“I needed to go to a slightly softer shaft and I can hit more shots with it and feel a bit more comfortable sort of playability-wise. I feel like I can hit a few more shots with it. It sort of hangs in there a little bit for me. So it was good to see. It was good to put it in play today and have to perform pretty well. Drove it well, especially on the back nine. It did pretty well today.”

Perhaps this equipment change will pay off and McIlroy can finally win a green jacket.

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The Masters betting odds: Can Rory McIlroy win?

All eyes will be on Rory McIlroy during the Masters to see whether or not he can finally nab a green jacket. Do the odds believe he can? Maybe, but a safer bet appears to be picking a repeat Scottie Scheffler victory.

Per Golfweek, these are the odds ahead of The Masters:

• Scottie Scheffler (+800)
• Jon Rahm (+850)
• Rory McIlroy (+850)
• Jordan Spieth (+1800)
• Cameron Smith (+2100)
• Justin Thomas (+2200)
• Patrick Cantlay (+2200)
• Collin Morikawa (+2400)
• Xander Schauffele (+2400)
• Cameron Young (+2900)
• Dustin Johnson (+3200)
• Max Homa (+3200)
• Tony Finau (+3200)
• Jason Day (+3300)
• Will Zalatoris (+3400)
• Sungjae Im (+3600)
• Viktor Hovland (+3900)
• Sam Burns (+4000)
• Hideki Matusyama (+4600)

Nevertheless, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are at almost the same odds as Scheffler. Those three have been battling it out all year, with the number one spot on the OWGR changing hands a few times as a result.

Will Rory McIlroy finally win the Masters?

Right now, Scheffler is one, McIlroy is two and Rahm is third. After the Masters, those three could legitimately be in any order. They've all been playing spectacularly this year, but who will win the Masters?

Will it be a repeat victory for Scheffler, a revenge tour for McIlroy or a defining win for Rahm?