Rory McIlroy joined yet one more unique membership after capturing his second straight Masters title.
Rory McIlroy will not be seen on the golf course this week following his Masters triumph (Picture: Getty) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Rory McIlroy has additional cemented his already legendary standing in golf with a second consecutive Masters victory. Twelve months on from claiming his maiden title at Augusta and finishing the Grand Slam, McIlroy repeated the feat on Sunday to turn out to be solely the fourth participant in historical past to win the event in back-to-back years.
The Northern Irishman edged out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by a single shot, with McIlroy requiring nothing greater than a half-foot tap-in to safe his sixth main title. It marked the golfer’s first victory of 2026 and, regardless of the prospect to return to aggressive motion this week, McIlroy has already made clear his intention to step away from the game for a spell. Categorical Sport examines the largest speaking factors surrounding the world No. 2, together with his response to allegations that he benefited from an unfair benefit heading into the foremost.
This isn’t the primary event the 36-year-old has chosen to skip the occasion, having achieved likewise final yr following his breakthrough triumph at Augusta. Due to revisions in PGA Tour rules, McIlroy will face no penalty for sitting out the event.
The scenario was markedly totally different three years in the past, when skipping the occasion price him a staggering £2.2million. On the time, gamers have been prohibited from lacking two signature occasions in a single yr, and McIlroy fell foul of that specific rule.
As is customary for Masters champions, McIlroy had the privilege of enjoying the course at any time when he wished and made full use of that profit within the build-up to final week’s event. He withdrew from three occasions previous to the Masters and often practised at Augusta. When requested whether or not he believed he held an unfair benefit, McIlroy replied: “I joked final week and going into this week, this place appears like my house course.
“I have not performed anyplace else within the final two or three weeks actually. I felt ready in that means. I felt ready that wherever I hit it on the golf course, I kind of know what to do. I do know the place to overlook. I am fairly snug with all of the photographs across the greens. I believe it is a good blueprint. I am not going to take three weeks off earlier than each main, however to get to the foremost venues early, do your preparation, play and never simply play and have a look at issues.
“Truly play. Go on the market with one ball, shoot a rating and attempt to do it that means. I talked to Jack Nicklaus over time about how he ready for majors and he would go the week earlier than. He would simulate a event. He’d play one ball for 4 days, shoot scores in order that when he received to the event it felt second nature to him. I did a bit little bit of that main as much as right here and I actually suppose that is a great way to organize going into the subsequent majors.”
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Erica Stoll tribute
Having claimed his first Masters crown final yr, McIlroy confronted criticism from followers for failing to say his spouse Erica Stoll in his post-victory speech. The golfer was cautious to not repeat the identical error, paying a heartfelt tribute to his spouse, whom he described as his “largest supporter.”
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McIlroy stated: “That is the laborious half. I wish to say a number of thank yous to the folks on my left. In the beginning, my spouse and daughter, Erica and Poppy. They should put up with me at house and, belief me, typically that is a troublesome factor to do.
“However they’ve been my largest supporters. This has undoubtedly changed into Poppy’s favorite week of the yr. I do not know if it is due to the Par 3 Match or it is the all-you-can-eat ice cream within the gamers’ providers constructing.”
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