Rory encouraged by Texas display

Major improvements: Rory McIlroy impressed as he finished runner-up in the Valero Texas Open

World No.2 McIlroy says runner-up finish was perfect Masters prep

He might have had to settle for second place in the Valero Texas Open but Rory McIlroy reckons that his performance at TPC San Antonio this week has given his confidence a massive shot in the arm ahead of this week’s Masters Tournament.

The 23-year-old Northern Irishman posted his best finish of a rollercoaster season so far by finishing runner-up to Scotland’s Martin Laird in Texas, having only entered the tournament at the 11th hour last week on the advice of his caddie, JP Fitzgerald.

The world No.2 closed with a 66 to finish two shots adrift of Laird in his final Masters tune-up and, afterwards, he insisted that he was pleased with the state of his game going into the season’s first major.

“I didn’t quite get the win, but everything that I wanted to accomplish this week, I accomplished,” said McIlroy. “I feel really good going into next week.

“I think over the last three rounds especially just eliminating the stupid mistakes that I was making on the course, mental errors, that was the most important thing. I’m really pleased with my game, and I think this was a great week for me.”

McIlroy added that he had set himself some pretty humble goals going into the week and so was pleased with the outcome.

“The plan this week was to get myself, I guess, tournament ready or tournament sharp,” he said. “I was able to do that. It was a bonus that I got into contention and had a chance to win. I can’t really be too disappointed.

“Martin played phenomenal golf today, shot 63 in those conditions. I felt getting to 12‑under like I did I was going to have a great chance, but ended up a couple back of him. So I’m happy heading to Augusta.

“I’ve shot some good rounds around there. I’m going to go and prepare as well as I can the next three days and make sure I’m ready to tee it up on Thursday.”