RORY McILROY was told by Wayne Rooney to follow his playbook if it is his goal to win the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy's top coach Pete Cowen works as a consultant with McIlroy and said that the best way for him to win the final Major is to "fall in love with golf".
Rory McIlory has yet tasted victory at the Masters
A fourth-place finish by the Northern Irishman at Augusta
was his best result.
He's been asked to channel his inner Wayne Rooney to win The Masters.
He cited Rooney as an example of what it meant to hold on to your childhood passion.
Cowen said: "Wayne Rooney is someone I have always felt that isn't in it for the money, but because he loves the game as much as anyone.
"I don't think Rooney or anyone else would return all the money that they have made.
"But, you get the impression that if someone were to organize a kickabout in the park with goalposts and coats, he would be the first one there.
It's about finding the right motivation to get into the game, the thrill of doing what you love and striving to be the best.
Rory seems to have forgotten this and needs to rekindle his love for golf in order to win at Augusta.
"Rory already lives the dream.
"If he could just let go of the pressure he puts on himself, he has the potential to make many more dreams come true."
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"He has been down the path of reading self-help books and preaching motivational psychology. He believes in taking control of your own inner self, whatever that may mean, and positive thinking.
"So I told Rory to let go, be free from his thoughts and take every shot as if it was the first.
"If you do this, the blips along your way don't seem as big -- that includes the missed cut in Texas last week.
"You could see how rusty the man was after just a few weeks.
"He'll be a completely different animal at The Masters."
McIlroy (32), seems to be following Cowen's advice to not get too excited about winning the Grand Slam. After winning back-toback titles at The Open in 2014 and the USPGA in 2014, McIlroy's Major drought is now in its eighth year.
He dismissed the notion that a Masters win would be his career's defining moment.
McIlroy stated that he doesn't believe he'll ever be "just another golfer" -- four Majors, 32 wins around the world, and a part in great Ryder Cups.
"I am not just another golfer. I am a Hall of Famer. That's why I don't worry about it.
Rory McIlory is honoured with The Open trophy at Old Trafford 2014
"And I'm not worried or overwhelmed by the challenge of winning at Augusta.
"When you have been there so many times, you suddenly realize that it's just another town.
It's beautiful, and it's famous, but it's a golf club.
The best way to get the most out of yourself is to make it less important.
"But that doesn’t mean the competitive spirit hasn’t got as strong as it ever.
"This is the only one I haven’t won, and it is the one that I want to win the most.
"I have always wanted to win The Masters since I was a child growing up in Northern Ireland.
"I've been given the opportunity to accomplish something that very few people have done before, and with the Grand Slam as my goal. It's quite cool.
It would be an amazing opportunity for me and my career.
"But regardless of whether I win The Masters this week or in the future it won't define me as a golfer."
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