Rory McIlroy bullish as thoughts turn to Augusta

IN GOOD SHAPE: Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the eighth tee during his semi-final at the Match Play Championship in Austin, Texas. Pic: AP Photo/Eric Gay

Rory McIlroy believes he is heading to that "little place in Augusta, Georgia" with a tonne of positives and his game in fine fettle.

The Holywood world No 3 came up shy in the WGC Match Play in Austin Texas, losing his semi-final to Cam Young despite being two up with three holes to play, but he was 6-1 for the week, made 44 birdies and two eagles and will use the down time this week to rest up and analyse what he needs to win a maiden Masters.