Rory McIlroy hoping Butch Harmon's 'validation' will lead to Masters glory

Whatever tips Harmon gave McIlroy seemed to pay immediate dividends as McIlroy enjoyed his best single strokes gained approach week in a PGA Tour event in nearly five years at the Valero Texas Open.

BUTCH'S BLESSING: Rory McIlroy hits on the driving range during a practice round in preparation for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Pic credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel.

Making his 16th Masters start, Rory McIlroy has seemingly come to Augusta each April with 16 different game-plans for finally securing a green jacket.

This year, he might have hit on something crucial by taking a brief detour to Las Vegas recently to visit the golf’s ultimate swing whisperer, Butch Harmon.