Additional Coverage:
- Amanda Balionis gets Rory McIlroy to share explicit Masters advice from Jack Nicklaus (irishstar.com)
Amanda Balionis recently caught up with Rory McIlroy to uncover the advice Jack Nicklaus shared with the defending Masters champion just before his opening tee shot at this year’s tournament.
McIlroy delivered an impressive 5-under par round on Thursday, tying for the lead alongside Sam Burns. His strong start seemed to be inspired by words from the legendary 18-time major winner.
During a Friday interview on Amazon Prime, Balionis asked McIlroy about Nicklaus’s guidance. “Overnight co-leader Rory McIlroy, I know Jack Nicklaus said something to you at the practice facility before your opening round, what did he tell you?” she inquired.
McIlroy replied with a touch of humor, “Er, no double bogeys. Apparently, he thought I made too many last year.”
Balionis responded, “When Jack Nicklaus gives you direction, you must take it. You certainly did.”
She then brought up McIlroy’s earlier comment about feeling more comfortable at this Masters, asking how he planned to maintain that momentum. The five-time major winner reflected, “As I’ve played this tournament, I’ve always gotten more and more comfortable with the golf course. Having won last year, I feel like I belong a little more and have that freedom out on the course.”
He added, “Yesterday was a great day, a really good start. I need to drive a bit better and continue to think my way around the golf course like I did.”
Balionis playfully turned to the camera and said, “Jack, that was amazing advice you gave Rory.”
Nicklaus, one of only three golfers to win consecutive Masters titles, was also asked about what it takes to repeat at Augusta. Reflecting on his own back-to-back victories in 1965 and 1966, he explained the importance of adapting to varying conditions. “If you’re going to win two years in a row, you’ll find conditions you like and maybe you don’t, but you’ve got to adjust to both,” he said.
He concluded with confidence in McIlroy’s abilities: “Rory’s got the monkey off his back, and I think he has a very, very good chance to repeat.”