Rory McIlroy, now at 36 years old, is in the midst of the greatest stretch of his golf career. Until last month, McIlroy was riding high after a resounding victory at the Masters, putting a stop to an 11-year drought in major championships. Now, he’s one of the favorites to win yet another this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, a venue where he’s had tremendous success.
McIlroy’s recent history at Quail Hollow is as good as it gets. He has won four times at the club, showcasing his deep connection to the course. His historic past stokes the enthusiasm for his possible third performance this week at the clearly bumpy venue. He is shooting for a third Wanamaker Trophy, which would add to the resumé of an already illustrious career.
His stunning victory at the 2023 Masters was his dramatic comeback to form and health. For him, it cemented his place in golfing history. With this victory, McIlroy became the youngest player ever to join the elite company of golfers who have achieved the career Grand Slam. He joins the likes of Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson, and Nick Faldo, three of his contemporaries, legends that have all conquered six major championships. After all that he has accomplished and won, McIlroy admits this is a big deal when considering what this milestone means.
“Everyone needs to have goals and dreams, and I’ve been able to do something that I dreamed of for a long time.” – Rory McIlroy
Yet perhaps most surprisingly, given his accolades on the golf course, McIlroy stays modest when talking about his accomplishments. He talked about wanting to have fun in his career without being bogged down by spreadsheets and metrics. Instead, he’s looking to shift the narrative back to the feelings of playing golf and making new memories.
It became especially clear last weekend as McIlroy’s joy was evident as he won his first Masters in record-breaking fashion. He made a vital four-foot putt for birdie on that last hole, just as he had in edging out Justin Rose for gold. In that crushing instant, he tossed his putter skyward and bowed his head, burying his forehead in his palm.
“That’s a very cool thing. I want to still create a lot of other highlights and high points, but I’m not sure if any other win will live up to what happened a few weeks ago.” – Rory McIlroy
As he gets ready for the PGA Championship, McIlroy is concerned with this week’s tournament. Upcoming challenges such as the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and the Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club are under his surveillance. If his recent championship form is any indicator, he’ll certainly be one of the favorites to take home the winner’s spoils in these marquee events.
Looking back on his trip, McIlroy opened up about how he feels about everything he’s accomplished to this point. His final remarks were a poignant testament to his profound sense of fulfillment about his long career. Without a doubt, he thinks he’s done everything he set out to do.
“I have achieved everything that I’ve wanted. I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do in the game. I dreamed as a child of becoming the best player in the world and winning all the majors. I’ve done that. Everything beyond this, for however long I decide to play the game competitively, is a bonus.” – Rory McIlroy
In praise of his performance, McIlroy urged other players to stay committed to the idea of working on themselves, encouraging improvement over ego. He expressed his commitment in not only meeting short and long term goals, but bringing his best to each event and week.
“If I can just try to get the best out of myself each and every week, I know what my abilities are; I know the golf that I can play.” – Rory McIlroy
Now, as McIlroy walks through the doors of this thrilling new career chapter, we take a look back at the obstacles endured in the crusade to achieve greatness. He knows that the path toward very big wins can be intimidating but is deeply inspired to stay the course.
“I think everyone saw how hard having a north star is and being able to get over the line.” – Rory McIlroy
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