Should Rory McIlroy prevail at the Masters, there must be an understanding that one of the smartest acts of his preparation owed nothing to swings and putts. To be precise, McIlroy is canny enough to be undertaking as much build-up work as possible in private prior to the 79th Masters.

The scale of what lay in store for the Northern Irishman was apparent from the moment his winning putt was sunk for the US PGA Championship at Valhalla last August. History, a career grand slam, three of golf’s marquee titles in a row and a place on the podium of the United Kingdom’s finest sporting achievements await. The problem for someone in McIlroy’s position was the relentless questioning over what lies ahead. Namely all of the above, culminating at Augusta National and whether golf’s world No1 will join golfing royalty or not.

“Augusta is one of the most mentally challenging weeks of the year,” McIlroy explained. “When you get off there on a Sunday night, you are sort of done.” Therefore, there is little point in suffering from mental fatigue before the 25-year-old even strikes a ball.

McIlroy’s decision to end his competitive preparation at the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the first major of the year was made long before last season ended. It represents a break from his normal routine, which had traditionally seen him compete at the Shell Houston Open as an immediate precursor to the Masters. It is an undeniably smart move; McIlroy has taken himself out of the spotlight to the strongest extent possible – within his own remit – before landing in Georgia.

The value of this shouldn’t be underplayed. Before, during and after every round of McIlroy’s year, Augusta has been the topic of choice. He is far too courteous to object but it is only sensible for McIlroy to remove himself from increasingly intense discussions.

If he has already become mentally bored by Masters discussion and debate, how could that be healthy for his aspirations of glory? And if he is seen to talk too much about the same, would onlookers object?

McIlroy can no longer attend a Masters as anything close to under the radar, let alone with the historical significance attached to this one. But he has clearly and rightly placed quiet, considered build-up work above remaining in the public consciousness. Tiger Woods would undoubtedly do McIlroy a favour should he confirm Augusta participation, thereby diverting a serious chunk of glare away from a 25-year-old who has revelled in pressure but is entering unchartered mental territory.

Before signing off from Bay Hill on Sunday, where McIlroy finished tied 11th, further questioning was inevitable. That closing position is significant; in his final event before winning each of the four majors already to his name, McIlroy has been placed 15th or better.

Would he consider himself the justifiable favourite for the Masters? “Given the way I have been playing … I guess if you go on form then probably no,” McIlroy replied. “But it depends how far you take that form back. You have got to look at previous results and all that sort of stuff. There are a lot of guys who are playing well and deserve to be up there.” A smile followed. “I’m not a bookmaker.”

Those who are retain McIlroy as their red-hot Masters favourite. The man himself will hone his approach shot skills – cited as a key area for improvement - in private in Florida over the next fortnight, latterly in conjunction with his coach Michael Bannon, before landing to the unavoidable frenzy of Augusta. A bit like at Wentworth last May, where McIlroy astonishingly won the BMW PGA Championship in the immediate aftermath of his decision to break off his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki, the golf course could prove to be his sanctuary from the white noise. Outside the ropes promises to be frenetic once again.

Up until the start of the Augusta tournament, on 9 April, McIlroy will benefit from the one admirable character trait which separates him from the Woods of two decades ago. That is, an ability to remove himself completely from golf and the people who attach themselves to it when necessary. That can be for hours or days, but it is still pertinent. McIlroy has different people and facets to his life, which is undeniable positive during spells such as these.

“I was expecting to get a lot of questions,” McIlroy acknowledged of what has come – for month after month – so far. “For the casual golf fan, the Masters is sort of the start of the golf season. So I was expecting it. I feel like I was handling questions about Augusta even at the start of this year but it is natural. It is a big deal, what I am trying to achieve over there.

“If I had played really well these last few weeks, it would be a case of: ‘How do I keep this going?’ It is almost like it has been nice to be able to try and build yourself up. I don’t feel like I’m right there. I feel like I am just gradually building myself up, so it’s actually not a bad position to be in.”

A substantial element of McIlroy’s final Masters touches has been by long-term, deliberate design. It may yet prove a masterstroke.