Imagine standing on the practice green the day before the biggest test of your career, flipping through your yardage book not just for distances, but for a quiet pep talk you penned yourself.
That’s exactly where Rory McIlroy found himself 24 hours before his unforgettable victory at Augusta National.
Little Notes, Big Impact
The day before teeing off, the Northern Irish star admitted that hidden among the hole diagrams and green contours in his yardage book were a few personal reminders.
“I’ve got a handful of one- or two-line notes in the back,” McIlroy shared.
“Every so often, as I’m walking the fairway, I’ll glance down and see them—just the classic mantras you always hear.”
Sealing the Career Grand Slam
On Sunday, McIlroy’s calm focus paid off.
He calmly sank a birdie putt to edge out his Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose and finally complete the career Grand Slam—a feat only five other legends have managed in the Masters era.
As the ball dropped, McIlroy dropped to his knees, head in his hands, shoulders shaking with relief and joy.
A Journey of Near Misses
His win didn’t come without its ghosts.
McIlroy’s history at Augusta is dotted with close calls, most notably in 2011 when a four-shot lead slipped away in the final round.
Over the years, those near misses piled up, making this triumph all the sweeter.
Passing the Torch—and the Jacket
When McIlroy stood on the 18th green in tears, it was Scottie Scheffler—last year’s champion and world No. 1—who slipped the iconic green jacket over his shoulders.
“It feels incredible,” McIlroy said, fighting back emotion.
“Seventeen trips here, and I started to wonder if this day would ever come.”
What’s on the Horizon?
After 14 years of chasing this dream, McIlroy let the emotions flow freely.
“There was so much bottled-up feeling that spilled out on the 18th green,” he admitted.
But with the career Grand Slam finally complete, the question on everyone’s mind is: what challenge will he tackle next?