Rory McIlroy's preparations for the Masters have been defended after he revealed the frequency with which he played at Augusta National in the weeks leading up to the tournament. McIlroy became the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles, holding off Scottie Scheffler by one shot. His comments about practicing at Augusta sparked debate over whether he had gained an unfair advantage.
However, several golfers, including Michael Kim and Kevin Kisner, have come to McIlroy's defense, stating that all players have the opportunity to practice at Augusta if they choose to do so. Sky Sports Golf's Nick Dougherty also defended McIlroy, saying that the advantage he gained was not unfair, but rather a result of his dedication and hard work. Dougherty recalled his own experience practicing at Augusta before his first Masters appearance in 2008, saying that the club was accommodating and allowed him to practice extensively.
World No. 44 Michael Kim also chimed in, stating that he had plenty of opportunities to practice at Augusta but chose not to, instead focusing on his game at home.