US EditionRelaxed Rory McIlroy Seeks Masters Title Defense Against 'Strongest' Field
McIlroy said the long-sought Masters title and career grand slam have eased pressure as he turns to defending the green jacket.
- The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland returns to Augusta National as the defending Masters champion, feeling "so much more relaxed" after finally securing his career Grand Slam last year.
- For the past 17 years, McIlroy could not wait for the tournament to start, yet he previously felt awkward visiting the club, once hiding in his car near Magnolia Lane while avoiding the champions' parking lot.
- Chief among the festivities is the champions' dinner this year, where McIlroy will deliver a speech he has thought about extensively, though the tournament no longer consumes him as it did from 2014 to last year.
- World number two McIlroy attempts to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo as the only back-to-back winners of the Masters, believing he has 10 good shots at future victories here.
- McIlroy realized the career Grand Slam was not the final destination, noting, "You think every time you achieve something or have success that you'll be happy, but then the goalposts move." He now seeks enjoyment in the journey itself.
36 Articles
36 Articles
McIlroy says Augusta burden gone after Masters triumph
AUGUSTA, Georgia — Rory McIlroy said arriving at Augusta National as the reigning Masters champion had left him feeling more relaxed than at any point in his previous visits, with the burden that once followed him here finally gone. McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam with a thrilling Masters triumph last year, said that after years of counting down to the opening tee shot, his mindset had changed completely. "For the past 17 years, I j…
McIlroy says Augusta burden has gone after Masters triumph
AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 7 - Rory McIlroy said arriving at Augusta National as the reigning Masters champion had left him feeling more relaxed than at any point in his previous visits, with the burden that once followed him here finally gone. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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