\t\t\t\tRory McIlroy is preparing for the Masters slightly differently this time around \u2013 but could that affect his title defence?<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy will never experience the same weight of pressure at the Masters<\/a> as he did during that intoxicating Sunday at Augusta National last April. <\/p>\n He\u2019ll also probably never have the same extent of extra curricular activities as he does on this year\u2019s return down Magnolia Lane. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo are the only golfers in history to successfully defend their Masters title.<\/p>\n And Paul McGinley believes that those extra responsibilities McIlroy will have as champion \u2013 including hosting duties for the Champions Dinner<\/a> \u2013 will heighten the task of going back-to-back.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always difficult to defend at the Masters,\u201d McGinley told Sky Sports News<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many obligations you have as a defending champion, not just hosting the dinner on Tuesday night for past champions. He\u2019ll probably be around there at the [Augusta National Women\u2019s Amateur] before that and maybe even the Drive, Chip and Putt for the kids the day before.<\/p>\n \u201cSo there are a lot of obligations, a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny, but I guess nothing like he had last year when he was on the verge of trying to win a grand slam and eventually getting over the line in such incredible circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n Like this article? See more TG content in your feed!\u00a0Click here<\/a>\u00a0to add Today\u2019s Golfer as a preferred source on Google.<\/p>\n