The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland has claimed victory at the event four times when it was held at Quail Hollow.
This year, however, the tournament moves to Philadelphia Cricket Club, serving as a warm-up for next week’s PGA Championship, the second major of the season, also set to be played at the same venue.
“It doesn’t quite feel like a defense, but it’s good to be here. It’s always, at this stage of my career, cool to come to new venues, see new golf courses, and do new things,” McIlroy said on Wednesday.
“First week, I guess, as an individual coming back and playing over the last few weeks. I’m excited to get back to being a golfer. It’s nice to get back into the routine again and get back to what I know how to do.”
McIlroy first came within reach of the career Grand Slam in 2014, after winning both the Open and PGA Championships. However, it took him 10 attempts to finally conquer the Masters – an elusive milestone he achieved last month with an emotional playoff victory over England’s Justin Rose at Augusta National, earning him the coveted green jacket.
“I always had hope. It’s not as if I wasn’t going to show up at Augusta and feel like I couldn’t win,” McIlroy said.
“I always felt like I had the game. And like I think, as everyone saw on that back nine on Sunday, it was about getting over — I don’t know what the right phrase is, but defeating my own mind was sort of the big thing for me and getting over that hurdle.
“I’m just glad that it’s done. I don’t want to ever have to go back to that Sunday afternoon again. I’m glad I finished the way I did and we can all move on with our lives.”
McIlroy, who celebrated his birthday last Sunday, teamed up with fellow Irishman Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic team event two weeks ago, but this week marks his return to solo PGA Tour action – and will also be his final warm-up before the start of next week’s PGA Championship.
Following a celebratory week in Europe with family and friends, McIlroy shared that he and his mother were “both a mess for a few minutes” when they reunited. He then shifted back into prep mode, spending three days practicing last week and making a stop in New York.
“That period is sort of behind me, and I’m looking forward to the next few months,” McIlroy said.
