Scheffler Eyes Houston Open Title as Masters Prep Continues

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler says he's feeling good about his game as he prepares to compete in the Houston Open, a key tune-up event for the Masters.

The PGA Houston Open will serve as a crucial tune-up for top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy as they prepare for the upcoming Masters. Both golfers will be seeking a title in Houston while fine-tuning their skills for the prestigious Augusta National tournament.

Rory McIlroy, fresh from his victories at the Players and Pebble Beach, is making his first appearance in Houston in 11 years and will be playing the course for the first time. McIlroy expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “It has been a great start to the season for me and I want to continue it.” Despite his focus on the Houston Open, McIlroy has already begun preparing for the Masters, the one major title that eludes him in his quest for a career Grand Slam.

In preparation for the Masters, McIlroy paid a visit to Augusta National earlier this week. He explained the purpose of his visit, saying, “I use those trips just to refamiliarize myself with the place, clubs off tees, looking to see if they changed any greens.” McIlroy noted that there are four newly renovated greens this year, and he wanted to familiarize himself with the changes. “You have a look at those and see if there's any new hole positions they give you, stuff like that,” he added. McIlroy also appreciated the opportunity to play a practice round without the pressure of a large crowd, saying, “Honestly for me, it's nice to play a practice round without people around and it sort of takes the pressure off the start of the (Masters) week for me.”

Although Rory McIlroy has already begun preparing for the Masters, his primary focus in Houston is on competing and potentially adding another title to his season. McIlroy emphasized his commitment to the present moment, saying, “I just want to get a card in my hand and shoot scores and hopefully get myself in contention and try to win another golf tournament.”

Nonchalant practice round eagles in Houston. Let the heater continue 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ng9u6yaOVD

— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) March 26, 2025

McIlroy's mindset is centered on the task at hand, rather than looking ahead to the Masters. “It's not as if I'm playing here this week and thinking about two weeks' time. I'm here, I'm in the present, I'm trying to do my best this week and trying to win this golf tournament,” he explained. By focusing on the Houston Open, McIlroy aims to build momentum and confidence that will serve him well in his upcoming quest for a green jacket.

McIlroy's primary objective in Houston is to test his shotmaking skills under tournament pressure. “I want to keep playing well, so I think every round you play where you see good things you're filling up that confidence bucket a little bit, so I want to see that,” he said. Despite his recent victory at the Players, McIlroy recognizes that there is still room for improvement. “It was great to get a win a couple weeks ago but I still feel I could have played a lot better.”

McIlroy has been working on refining his game, and he views the Houston Open as an opportunity to assess his progress. “I tried to poke holes in a lot of my game last week and think about things I could do better, and there were definitely things that I could work on,” he reflected. By competing in Houston, McIlroy aims to validate the effectiveness of his recent practice sessions. “It's a good opportunity to go out and see if some of the work I did at home and I'm continuing to do here... is all going in the right direction.”

Scheffler Feeling Good About His Game

Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked golfer, is feeling optimistic about his game as he prepares to compete in the Houston Open. Scheffler was the runner-up in Houston last year, a season in which he won nine titles, including Olympic gold and his second Masters title. However, he missed the first month of this season due to a hand injury and is only now regaining his normal form. “Feeling pretty good. Excited about the stuff we're working on right now and game feels like it's in a good spot. Definitely excited to get the season going this week,” he said.

No. 1 golfer in the world, Texas Longhorn Scottie Scheffler at the Houston Open pic.twitter.com/GuhLd02Piu

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) March 26, 2025

Scheffler believes that the Houston Open, held at Memorial Park course, provides valuable preparation for the Masters. “With it being rye grass in the fairways now I think definitely improves the prep for the Masters, it's a similar grass to what we see at Augusta,” Scheffler explained. He also noted that the course's layout and demands are similar to those of Augusta National. “It's also a big golf course. You've got to hit it far out here, so there is definitely some similarities and good preparation between here and Augusta.”

Despite the Masters being just two weeks away, Scheffler is focused on winning the Houston Open. “I try to focus as much as I can on the tournament at hand,” he said. While acknowledging that the majors are always on his mind, Scheffler emphasized his commitment to the present moment. “I think in the back of your mind at all times the majors are always kind of there... so when you're here with the Masters being only two weeks away, it's very easy for us to look ahead. But I'm trying to do my best to focus on this week.”