[Ian Hudson]

When a young Rory McIlroy was dreaming about winning professional golf tournaments the Shell Houston Open would not be high on his list of priorities but the US Masters would be near the top.

McIlroy is the favourite in the Houston Open this week but the main objective is honing his game ahead of the Masters.

He has decided to play in Houston and has also entered the Scottish Open. These commitments are part of a new strategy of playing competitively in the week before a major. The Houston Golf Club has been set up to be similar to Augusta and that has attracted a strong field, including the current Open champion Phil Mickelson.

Before last summer Mickelson had never won in Britain or a links course. He won the Scottish Open and then won the British equivalent a week later. Initially Mickelson never really took to golf by the seaside but to be considered one of the greats you have to win an Open.

McIlroy has said in the past in that he won’t work on his game for just the Open. However, the legends of the sport like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods realised the importance of the British Open, especially when played at St Andrews, the spiritual home of the game.

McIlroy is half way to a career Grand Slam and will win the Masters at least once before the end of his career. He could well do it next week but the Houston Open will be about being best prepared for the first major of the season.

By Ian Hudson
Sports Betting and Gaming Consultant
http://www.ianhudsonsport.co.uk