Mcllory is preparing for the major in Australia next month

"It might have been a crossroads in my career. I possibly could have inked what I did on Sunday at Augusta and allow it to go affect me and let it get to me, and maybe enter a slump, or get down or have a pity party personally."

But not even close to wallowing in self pity, McIlroy excelled in the next major. His 16-under-par total of 268 bettered a record previously held by 14-time championship winner Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000.

After clinching an initial major Taylormade R11 irons in 2011, McIlroy reached another career landmark at the beginning of the 2012 season.

He took over as youngest world No. 1 since Woods with victory at Palm Beach latest research by, usurping Ryder Cup teammate Luke Donald.

"It would have been a big crossroads for me in my career," he explained. "I surely could go lower your path and hang things right by winning the next major.

"All I wanted to do was put myself for the reason that position again just to determine if I can handle it better -- and that i turned out to be myself i could."

McIlroy admitted one of the biggest mistakes he made throughout the final round of last year's Masters was to become preoccupied with his rivals, in lieu of emphasizing their own game.

It's an error he's keen to stop on his fourth visit to the Augusta National Golf Club.

"One from the worst the things i did was only wanting to stay ahead of everyone else. Instead, I maybe must have stood a number inside my head, like addressing 15 under. That way, you have a Ping G20 irons target, that is certainly all you are considering.

"You're not contemplating all these guys you're attempting to keep ahead of. All you are considering is target of 15 under ... You can not let your brain wander and begin considering what someone else is doing."

Donald regained no.1 spot with victory on the recent Transitions Championships. Nevertheless, McIlroy's profile within the U.S. remains high.

Partly, it's due to his contrasting experiences at the Masters and then the U.S. Open. But his romance with former world No. 1 tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki has also ensured he or she is firmly in media spotlight.

"It can be really different this year," he stated after of the tournament getting under way on April 5. "I wasn't discount golf clubs necessarily under the radar last year, but I'm going to be going there that has a lot more attention.

"I'll try to take the same procedure for the tournament as I did this past year. The week before, I'll go up to Augusta for 2 days, do what I usually do