The six-time main winner has come underneath loads of criticism of late.
Rory McIlroy has spoken out towards the criticisms (Picture: Getty)
Rory McIlroy has hit again at claims he had an ‘unfair benefit’ heading into the 2026 Masters final month. McIlroy turned simply the fourth participant within the historical past of the game to win back-to-back Masters titles, and the primary since legendary golf ace Tiger Woods.
Nevertheless, he acquired loads of backlash following the Augusta Nationwide victory, with some suggesting he’d been given an ‘unfair benefit’ over his rivals. One of the crucial distinguished naysayers was ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith, who mentioned McIlroy shouldn’t have been capable of skip a number of PGA Tour signature occasions main as much as the primary main of the 12 months.
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McIlroy had proudly confessed he used his perks as a Masters champion to play the course a number of instances within the build-up to the event, even flying in for follow rounds after dropping daughter Poppy off at college. He doubled down on the choice, saying they had been far more productive than enjoying tournaments in Houston or San Antonio.
Smith claimed ‘no one else’ was afforded such a luxurious, however the TV host was met by a flurry of backlash, together with opposition from fellow professionals. Michael Kim and Kevin Kisner had been amongst these to hurry to McIlroy’s defence, with the previous dubbing it because the “dumbest argument ever”.
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Within the build-up to this weekend’s PGA Championship, McIlroy was requested about how he’d ready for the occasion at Aronimink. With a smile on his face, the Northern Irishman mentioned: “Simply performed it each day.”
McIlroy was talking with tongue firmly in cheek, however he has as soon as once more staggered his preparations for the event. Since retaining his Inexperienced Jacket, McIlroy has performed only one event, inserting nineteenth eventually week’s Truist Championship.
Rory McIlroy received back-to-back Masters titles earlier this 12 months (Picture: Getty)
When pushed for an precise reply, McIlroy finally mentioned: “We performed the BMW there in 2018, however the course performed so much in a different way. It was moist in 2018 and the greens did not play as quick or as extreme as what I felt like they performed final week after I performed.”
He continued: “It isn’t an extended golf course, however the huge defence is the greens and so they can tuck the pins away in the event that they need to. It was good to get an early take a look at it. It simply implies that the week of the event you are not underneath stress to play numerous holes.”
McIlroy is a two-time PGA Championship winner, however hasn’t received the second main of the 12 months since 2014. He will get his marketing campaign underway on Thursday, and has been positioned in a gaggle with Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth.
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