Rory McIlroy to visit children in Haiti before Masters

Former world number one golfer Rory McIlroy will travel to Haiti to visit local families affected by the 2010 earthquake ahead of the Masters.

The Northern Irishman, who was knocked off the top spot by Tiger Woods this week, will conduct a two-day visit with UNICEF.

"It has been nearly two years since my last visit to Haiti and I'm really excited to be going back," the Belfast Telegraph quotes McIlroy as saying. "Haiti is an inspiring and humbling country where children face daily struggles and deprivation unnecessarily.

"If my presence there helps to create international awareness of the difficulties Haitian children face, then I'll be delighted.

"During my last visit, I witnessed daily life for some of the world's most vulnerable children. UNICEF's great work in Haiti is helping to combat disease and change lives."

The Masters tournament in Augusta will get underway on April 11.