RORY MCILROY noticed a few changes to the legendary Augusta course ahead of the Masters next month. The Northern Irishman flew to the Masters venue in Georgia before jetting to Texas for the Houston Children's Open. McIlroy only added the Texas event to his schedule last week as he wanted to play one event before the first major of the year. The 35-year-old has detailed the major changes to the famous course after his scouting trip on Tuesday. The devastating destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene on Augusta National was laid bare by drone footage last year. The home of the Masters was hit by the catastrophic hurricane that swept through the southeastern United States in September 2024. The infamous golf course fell victim to the 130mph gusts, leaving the usually stunning grounds in disarray. Now, McIlroy was one of the first to detail what the revamped greens will look like for golf's best. After a practice round at the Houston Open, he said: "Yeah, the loss of a few trees is definitely noticeable. "But in terms of like they've had to redo that green, it's exactly the same as it was. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "Apart from maybe a few less shadows on the green late in the day because of a couple of trees that were lost, it's pretty much the same." Four greens – including the 16th – were re-seeded and relaid after the hurricane wreaked havoc. McIlroy won the Players Championship this month, as the Northern Irishman still searches for his first major-tournament win since 2014. The four-time major winner is desperate for the green jacket as he aims to complete the Masters Grand Slam, and end his 11-year wait for a fifth major. The trip to Georgia is not far from his home in Florida. He added: "I use those trips just to refamiliarize myself with the place, clubs off tees, looking to see if they changed any greens. "It's nice to play a practice round without people around. It takes the pressure off the start of the week." McIlroy was even par, five strokes behind the co-leaders after the first round of the Houston Open, The Masters will be held on April 10-13 when world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will defend his title.