It has been just over a month since Rory McIlroy knelt, overcome by the fulfillment of a lifelong aspiration. His victory at the Masters, securing the career Grand Slam, has left a lasting impression on the golf world. The sport`s top players have openly discussed the significance of his achievement this past week.
Justin Thomas reflected that witnessing McIlroy`s feat served as a potent reminder of his own desire to accomplish the same, sparking a mix of motivation and envy. Scottie Scheffler expressed admiration for the dedication McIlroy has shown throughout his career to conquer all four major championships. Jordan Spieth, who needs only a PGA Championship to complete his own career Grand Slam, found it inspiring.
Spieth noted, “You could tell it was a harder win – most of the time he makes it look a lot easier. So that obviously was on the forefront of his mind. Something like that has not been done by many people, and there`s a reason why.”
Jon Rahm commented, “I think it`s been a very difficult hurdle to overcome, and you could see his emotion towards the end. He`s had so many chances. It`s just, it`s never easy. It`s very difficult. I would not be one bit surprised if this lifted a weight off his shoulders that could get him going on another run.”
Adding to the anticipation is the fact that McIlroy`s first major tournament since his Grand Slam completion is taking place at Quail Hollow Country Club, a venue where he has achieved victory four times. This history makes him the clear favorite entering the week.
Yet, as quickly as many, including Rahm, are ready to shift the focus to the next chapter – pondering “How many majors can he win now?” – and characterize McIlroy as unburdened after achieving his major goal, it seems McIlroy himself prefers to slow down. He appears to want to savor the moment a little longer, appreciating it for what he suggests it represents.
“I still want to create a lot of other highlights and high points, but I`m not sure if any other win will live up to what happened a few weeks ago,” McIlroy stated. “I`m still going to set myself goals. I`m still going to try to achieve certain things. But I sit here knowing that that very well could be the highlight of my career.”
And how could it not be? The manner in which McIlroy finally claimed the coveted green jacket, showcasing his vulnerabilities, skill, and resilience over 72 demanding holes, followed by a celebration that seemed less like emphatic joy and more like an emotional release of relief, created a moment destined for historical significance. It`s a moment McIlroy wishes to retain vividly through his own senses, rather than merely as a video clip replayed for years.
McIlroy shared, “I`ve tried not to watch it a lot because I want to remember the feelings. But anytime I have, I well up. I still feel like I want to cry. I`ve never felt a release like that before, and I might never feel a release like that again. That could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and it was a very cool moment.”
Listening to McIlroy on Wednesday prompted contemplation of whether his realization that the 2025 Masters could be his defining moment, that experiencing that profound feeling, means he might not relentlessly pursue more majors with newfound freedom. Instead, he might have discovered something professional athletes are typically trained to avoid: contentment.
“I have achieved everything that I`ve wanted – I`ve done everything I`ve wanted to do in the game,” he asserted. “I dreamed as a child of becoming the best player in the world and winning all the majors. I`ve done that. Everything beyond this, for however long I decide to play the game competitively, is a bonus.”
Winning a Masters to end his major drought and finalize the career Grand Slam neatly concluded a narrative that had long surrounded him. It was a significant accomplishment that felt both predetermined and incredibly challenging. Therefore, it appears McIlroy has found not only satisfaction and fulfillment but also perspective. The ultimate destination justified the demanding path, but it didn`t make the journey any less taxing.
“I think everyone saw how hard having a north star is and being able to get over the line,” McIlroy remarked. “I feel like I sort of burdened myself with the career Grand Slam stuff, and I want to enjoy this.”
In the past, McIlroy has expressed ambitions to be considered the greatest European player (only two others have more majors than he does) and to win an away Ryder Cup (this year`s event offers that chance). However, these goals now seem secondary to what he achieved at Augusta this year. For a player like McIlroy, whose exceptional trait is his sustained performance at the top level, the sheer accumulation of wins or majors doesn`t seem to be the primary focus.
“I`ve always said I`m never going to put a number on it. The numbers tell one story, but it`s not – mightn`t be the full story,” he commented. “I want to enjoy what I`ve achieved, and I want to enjoy the last decade or whatever of my career.”
At 36, it`s easy to forget McIlroy has been a professional golfer for 18 years. The absence of a Masters title occupied such a large part of his story that, with it now secured, he seems to be signaling the beginning of a new phase in his career, one that will also bring questions about how much longer he intends to compete. McIlroy has already stated he won`t play on the Champions Tour and that something would have gone significantly wrong if he felt compelled to compete at age 50. This shift is also evident in his schedule adjustments, including playing more international events and fewer overall tournaments. Recently, he also indicated he is no longer concerned about the outcome of LIV-PGA Tour negotiations.
However, regarding competitive golf in this new context, McIlroy – currently playing arguably the best golf in the world – insists his attitude and approach will remain unchanged.
On Thursday morning, he will approach the first tee of a tournament aiming for victory, just as he has done hundreds of times. His past accomplishments will not alter his current objective. Perhaps he will feel lighter, maybe he won`t place as much pressure on his game, or perhaps, should he find himself in contention on Sunday, he will surprise himself by feeling a spark of the same competitive intensity he experienced five Sundays prior.
It`s not that McIlroy`s competitive drive will diminish, but rather that, having reached the summit he spent nearly 11 years climbing, McIlroy is conveying that with a Masters and a career Grand Slam now part of his record, he has discovered his personal version of golfing fulfillment.
“It`s everything I thought it would be,” McIlroy concluded.
