The two biggest names at the Masters this week have gone to the same Augusta club member to help them realise their dreams . Rory McIlroy believes Jeff Knox , a former Georgia State mid-amateur champion , reads the mysterious Augusta putting surfaces better than anyone he has ever seen . And on Friday Knox completed something of a notable double when he answered the call from Tiger Woods to play a practice round . Rory McIlroy believes Jeff Knox ( left ) reads the mysterious Augusta putting surfaces better than anyone . Knox played with McIlroy when the Northern Irishman was first man out in the third round last year . Marker Knox watches his tee shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2014 Masters Tournament . Knox played as a non-competing marker with McIlroy when the Northern Irishman was first man out in the third round last year . He even outscored the world No 1 by a shot , with a 70 to McIlroy ’ s 71 . A fortnight later , McIlroy wrote him a letter asking if he might be able to call upon his advice in the future . ‘ Playing with Jeff , it was a treat for me to see how he played the golf course , ’ said McIlroy , following his round last year . ‘ The fact he wrote at all says an awful lot about Rory and it was quite an honour for him to say what he did , ’ said Knox . ‘ I ’ d gladly help him out . I just happened to play good that day . I guess that helped. ’ McIlroy , pictured in action at the Arnold Palmer Invitational , and is favourite to win the Masters . Woods could pose a threat to McIlroy at the Masters after confirming that he will play at Augusta . McIlroy manages a smile after throwing away a four-shot lead on the final day of the Masters in 2011 .
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods spoke with Augusta club member Jeff Knox . McIlroy believes Knox reads Augusta putting surfaces better than anyone . Knox played as a non-competing marker with McIlroy last year . On Friday Knox answered call from Tiger Woods to play a practice round .