Kids are always looking for a good time, and that seems to be Rory McIlroy’s goal this week.

“Obviously, I want to play well,” says the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland. “But I want to enjoy myself, too. I am here to do that, and hopefully to pick up some invaluable experience.”

McIlroy is one of three teenagers in this year’s field, and he is already taken by what he is experiencing. “I came here last Sunday for the first time, and played and got to know my way around a bit, figured out where the locker room is and the practice range,” says McIlroy who finished 2008 as the youngest player in the top 50 of the World Ranking. “And today, I just went out and played. I got to play nine holes. I played the back nine. I got to skim it across the water on 16 and did all that, which is cool.”

As for first impressions, McIlroy talked about how much the wind swirls on 12, how the 13th is already his favorite hole, especially because he can hit his drive high and down the left side and how much buzz there is around the Augusta National golf course. “It’s the Monday of a tournament, and already the atmosphere is great,” he explains. “I also like how different the course is. You have to play so many different types of shots to score well.”

Asked if he is at all in awe of Augusta National and playing the Masters, McIlroy says: “I am not one to get overwhelmed by much. I just go about my business and play my golf, and if it is good enough, then so be it.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” McIlroy says. “I am very excited to be here. But I am trying to treat it all like any other golf tournament.”