After months of emotional highs and a few frustrating weeks on the course, Rory McIlroy is back in Northern Ireland—this time, not just as a homegrown favorite but as the man who finally conquered Augusta.
And now, he’s setting his sights on the Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a message for the competition: he’s ready to win again.
Riding the Highs and Regaining Focus
McIlroy, now ranked world No. 2, admits that the period following his historic Masters victory didn’t go quite as planned.
The win at Augusta was a career-defining moment, completing the Grand Slam he’s chased for years.
But in the aftermath, the adrenaline gave way to a bit of a lull in performance.
“I think people saw that I wasn’t quite myself over the last couple of months,” Rory shared.
“I did something massive, something I always dreamed of—and then I jumped straight back into the grind without letting it all settle.”
That said, last week’s runner-up finish at the Scottish Open was a much-needed return to form.
Despite catching only four hours of sleep before arriving early for his practice round at Portrush, McIlroy looked re-energized and focused.
Embracing the Pressure at Home
Returning to Portrush comes with emotional weight.
The last time The Open was held here in 2019, McIlroy famously missed the cut—something he openly reflects on.
“I wasn’t ready for that moment,” he admitted.
“The roar on the first tee, the emotions—I wasn’t prepared for how intense it would be.
This time, I’m not going to shy away from it. I’m embracing every part of it.”
This new mental approach, he hopes, will not only help him perform better but also make the whole experience more meaningful for him and the home crowd.
This One Was Always Circled
Looking ahead at his calendar for 2025, McIlroy said this Open Championship stood out even more than the Masters. Why? It’s personal.
“This tournament—right here, in this place—meant something special.
Now that I’ve got a green jacket, I want to enjoy everything about being here. But I also want to win.”
His game, according to him, is in a great place.
He feels last week’s performance in Scotland proved that he’s back in form and mentally tuned in.
Eyes on the Prize
As the tournament kicks off, Rory is feeling both reflective and ambitious.
Having fulfilled a lifelong goal earlier this year, he now enters Portrush not just with hopes—but with belief.
“I want to win this golf tournament,” he said. “And I really feel like I can.”