Rory McIlroy's switch to a new putting grip so close to the Masters raised a few eyebrows. How could the four-time major winner make such a dramatic change to his stroke before dancing on Augusta National's diabolical greens?
If his short-game performance at the WGC-Dell Match Play is any indication, McIlroy should be just fine in his pursuit of the career Grand Slam in two weeks.
Here's McIlroy dropping a 68-foot bomb on Austin Country Club's ninth hole for birdie:
Followed up by the 26-year-old sinking another long putt on the 11th:
True, Augusta National's greens are a different animal, but with the putter, confidence is half the battle. And there's no doubting McIlroy's self-conviction at the moment.