Rory McIlroy has finally won the Masters, completing the career Grand Slam and joining golf legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. With that, a major weight has lifted — and McIlroy is now playing with freedom.
At 36, he says he’s better than ever. His results support it: three wins already this season and over $13 million in PGA Tour earnings. More importantly, he now has a green jacket and a permanent seat at the Masters Club dinner.
Winning at Augusta was 11 years in the making. The moment of victory brought visible relief, quickly followed by joy. “What are we going to talk about next year?” McIlroy joked, acknowledging that the pressure is finally off.
Now the conversation turns to what else he can achieve. A calendar Grand Slam? Maybe. The upcoming major venues suit him: the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where he’s won four times; the U.S. Open at Oakmont, a course built for big hitters; and the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, in his native Northern Ireland.
After years of questions about what was missing from his resume, the narrative has shifted. Brad Faxon, his putting coach, believes McIlroy can double his major tally. “He can win 10,” Faxon said.
McIlroy now joins a rare group of six players to complete the career Grand Slam — and is the only one to finish it at Augusta, the most iconic setting in golf.
For McIlroy, this win isn’t just history. It’s a fresh start.
