The World No 2 became only the fourth player ever to win back-to-back Masters titles last month, joining an elite group that includes Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. McIlroy edged out World No 1 Scottie Scheffler by a single shot to claim his sixth major title.
After securing his second Green Jacket in as many seasons, McIlroy stepped away for three weeks of rest before resuming a packed PGA Tour schedule.
He now begins a busy stretch at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, a Signature Event he has won four times, and insists his Masters success has not diminished his desire to keep pushing on.
“I’ve spoken about this a lot, I felt like winning the Grand Slam was going to be this life-changing thing and in some ways it was, but in other ways I had to remember ‘no, I still have a lot of my career left and I want to keep playing and keep competing’.
“This year, I think winning was validation for all the work that I’ve put in over the last few years to get myself back to this place where I’m winning majors. I’m excited for the road ahead.
“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.”
Quail Hollow holds a special place in McIlroy’s career, as it was the scene of his first PGA Tour victory in 2010, and he’s picked up three more victories at the venue since.
“This tournament [at Quail Hollow) I guess got my career going, especially on the PGA Tour. Then it’s been a pretty fruitful place since then as well,” he said.
“I’ve had some of the best days of my career on this golf course.”
McIlroy’s form dipped after his 2025 Masters triumph. He failed to contend in the next two majors and didn’t taste victory again until the Irish Open in September, but this year’s post-victory celebrations and commitments have not been quite as intense.
“It [celebrating] has been amazing – maybe not quite as hectic as last year,” McIlroy added. “I think this win felt a little bit different than the first win at Augusta.
“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 fun stuff. Erica [his wife] and I took a trip to New York, which was nice. Then did the State Dinner at the Whitehouse last Tuesday night, which was an amazing evening. So fitted in some fun stuff.
“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.”
