Rory McIlroy believes the Masters being rearranged to take place in November could be just what he needs to end his long wait for a green jacket.
The world number one needs a victory at Augusta National to complete a career Grand Slam, having already won the U.S. Open and The Open, plus the US PGA Championship twice.
McIlroy has had five top-10 finishes at the Masters and famously led by four ahead of the final round in 2011, only for a last-day meltdown to end his hopes of glory.
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This year's bid to win at Augusta has been held up by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Masters having originally been scheduled to take place over Easter weekend. Instead, the tournament is slated to take place November 12-15, a move McIlroy feels could play in his favour.
Speaking to Michelle Wie on an Instagram Live with Nike Golf, McIlroy said: "The Masters means so much.
"Obviously it's the last major for me to win but putting that aside, it is such a special place, so many great memories already. Any time you get to play at Augusta is a lot of fun.
"November is going to be different, very cold, the course could play very long. It plays long already but it can play very long. The greens may not be as fast as in April, depending on the moisture.
"I think it will be a different feel, it's at the back end of the year. Two of the majors have already been played, hopefully the Ryder Cup's already been played. People will be in their routine and in the flow a little bit more.
"I always feel there's this bit of anticipation going into Augusta, the first big event of the year. There's all this hype. I don't think it will feel like that this year, it will feel different but it's something I'm looking forward to.
"It's going to be a different Masters this year but personally, maybe selfishly, that's what I need to get the jacket."
Thank you to those on the front line!
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) March 28, 2020
Let’s all do our part. Follow @WHO guidelines and #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/wVNlkoLZfe
The coronavirus outbreak has wreaked havoc on the golf calendar, with The Open having been cancelled and the Ryder Cup's status remaining unclear.
As things stand, the Ryder Cup is going ahead. McIlroy said playing in the biennial tournament is an altogether different pressure to the majors.
"You're not just playing for yourself, you're playing for your team-mates, you're playing for your country, you're playing for a lot of different people," he added.
"Pressure at the Ryder Cup is different. I think if you look at people who have performed well in Ryder Cups before they went on to win majors, I think it's a good precursor.
"I think for us, that the Ryder Cup is the biggest and most intense atmosphere you can play under. If you can handle that, you can handle being in contention at the majors."