Rory McIlroy insists he’s extra motivated than ever to construct on his ‘completely different’ title defence at The Masters, forward of returning to PGA Tour motion for the primary time since his main victory.
McIlroy grew to become simply the fourth participant in historical past to win back-to-back editions of The Masters – following on from Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods – with a one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler at Augusta Nationwide final month.
The world No 2 recovered from dropping a six-shot midway result in shut out a sixth main title, a 12 months from finishing the profession Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off win over Justin Rose, with McIlroy then taking three weeks off after securing the Inexperienced Jacket once more.
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Highlights of Rory McIlroy’s remaining spherical from The Masters, the place he efficiently defended his title at Augusta Nationwide
McIlroy begins a busy run of occasions this week on the Truist Championship, a Signature Occasion he has received 4 instances, with the Northern Irishman glad to have ended an 11-year main drought with two in as many seasons.
“It [returning to action] feels a lot different [to last year],” McIlroy stated in his pre-tournament press convention forward of the Truist Championship, reside from Thursday on Sky Sports activities Golf. “Even profitable [The Masters] felt completely different.
“I’ve spoken about this lots, I felt like profitable the Grand Slam was s going to be this life-changing factor and in some methods it was, however in different methods I needed to bear in mind ‘no, I nonetheless have lots of my profession left and I wish to maintain enjoying and maintain competing’.
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Following his profitable title defence at The Masters, Rory McIlroy displays on his triumph and talks ‘potential’ for extra success
“This 12 months, I believe profitable was validation for all of the work that I’ve put in over the previous couple of years to get myself again to this place the place I am profitable majors. I am excited for the street forward.
“I’m excited for this week, I’m excited for Aronimink next week [PGA Championship], Shinnecock [US Open], Birkdale [The Open]. I feel like, if anything, I’m more motivated after what happened at Augusta this year than I’ve ever been.”
Sky Sports activities stays the house of the majors, with all solely reside on Sky Sports activities Golf
McIlroy skilled a dip in kind after the 2025 win at The Masters, failing to contend within the subsequent two majors and posting only one top-10 end within the subsequent 5 worldwide begins, though had much less to juggle within the weeks following final month’s victory.
“It [celebrating] has been amazing – maybe not quite as hectic as last year,” McIlroy admitted. “I believe this win felt a bit bit completely different than the primary win at Augusta.
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The Sky Sports activities Golf podcast talk about whether or not Rory McIlroy is the best European golfer ever, following one other win at The Masters
“It’s been really nice to spend time at home. I’ve done a couple of things, but I didn’t do the media trip up to New York. It was nice, my parents were in the States, so I didn’t have to fly home and see them. It was nice to just get a little bit of downtime and chill.
“Did some enjoyable stuff. Erica [his wife] and I took a visit to New York, which was good. Then did the State Dinner on the Whitehouse final Tuesday night time, which was a tremendous night. So fitted in some enjoyable stuff.
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US President Donald Trump interrupted his speech throughout a White Home banquet to ask Rory McIlroy to face, earlier than praising The Masters champion
“I gave myself a good 10 days to enjoy myself and then thought I needed to get back on the range and start to practice and get ready for this stretch coming up.”
McIlroy is the pre-tournament favorite to say a record-extending fifth victory on the Quail Hole Membership, having adopted his breakthrough PGA Tour title there in 2010 with additional wins in 2015, 2021 and 2024.
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Highlights of the ultimate spherical of the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, the place Rory McIlroy received the occasion for a fourth time
“This tournament I guess got my career going, especially on the PGA Tour,” McIlroy stated about his 2010 victory. “Then it’s been a pretty fruitful place since then as well with three other wins.
“I’ve gotten to know so many individuals right here very well. 16 years I have been coming right here, so it has been a enjoyable place, I’ve had success and it is someplace I at all times love coming again to.”
He later added: “I’ve had among the finest days of my profession on this golf course.”
Who will win the Truist Championship? Watch all through the week reside on Sky Sports activities. Early protection begins on Thursday from 12.45pm on Sky Sports activities+, forward of full protection from 7pm on Sky Sports activities Golf.
