Rory McIlroy’s preparation for the Masters is unlike any other, and he has fully embraced it since making his mark in golf history.
McIlroy has experimented with nearly every possible build-up scenario during his 17 previous appearances at Augusta National, ultimately finding a winning formula that will fulfill his childhood dream of completing a career Grand Slam.
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As Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta to defend his Masters title, take a look at some of the best shots he’s hit so far in the tournament
Twelve months after his rollercoaster victory over Justin Rose in the playoffs, McIlroy has ended his 11-year wait for a much-needed title shot, with many wondering if that might be the end of his great motivation to climb golf’s Everest.
But he has welcomed every part of his title defence, arriving earlier than ever in the green jacket to support multiple events ahead of hosting the Champions Dinner, and then preparing for a further challenge for big glory.
“I would say it was a little bit of a mix of business and fun,” McIlroy said Wednesday. “I’m ready. I did a lot of work at home in the weeks leading up to this and then traveled here to get ready and get used to the course again.”
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Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and others try water trick shots on the 16th at the Masters Par 3 Contest
“(Preparing for) this tournament has been completely different for me, but I’ve had a lot of fun. I’m going to continue to enjoy this week, but I know in order to do that I just have to go out there and play good golf. That’s what I’m focused on.”
McIlroy had previously wondered if he would ever win the Masters, but the opportunity to spend Tuesday night entertaining some of golf’s all-time greats — a mission accomplished — was something he had always looked forward to.
“(Being able to attend the Champions Dinner) is something that’s not lost on me,” McIlroy insisted. “All of us in that room were the envy of the sports world. Everyone else would want to be in that room and I never want to take that for granted.”
“We tried to treat it as if this was the only time we were hosting a dinner party. We hope it wasn’t, but if it was, we tried to do it the right way.”
McIlroy himself, the sixth player in history to have all four major titles on his golf resume and the first since Tiger Woods, believed the Grand Slam was his ultimate destination, but he now goes into his title defense with a different outlook.
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On the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, actor Jamie Dornan recalls the hilarious experience of watching Rory McIlroy win the 2025 Masters.
“What motivates me? What drives me? What do I still want to achieve in the game? I think that’s the story,” McIlroy said at a pre-tournament press conference, and asked after last year’s success, “What are we all going to talk about next year?”
“There are still so many things I want to do. Every time I achieve something or succeed, I feel happy, but the goalposts keep moving and it gets more and more out of reach.
“What I realized is that if you can really find fun in the journey, that’s what matters. To be honest, I felt like the Grand Slam of my career was my destination. I got there and realized it wasn’t the destination.”
McIlroy knows he has another chance to make more history. If he successfully defends his title, he will become the fourth player in history to win the Masters back-to-back, matching Sir Nick Faldo’s all-time major record.
“I feel like I can hit at least 10 good shots this (Masters),” McIlroy said. “It’s not like it’s not in other majors, but I think everything is a little more predictable here. I think the more experience we have on this golf course, the better it will be.”
A new challenge for McIlroy?
McIlroy, along with Players champion Cameron Young and U.S. Amateur winner Mason Howell, was given an early late start for the first two days, but he has already struggled in his title defense this season.
He withdrew from last month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational mid-tournament due to back problems and failed in his attempt a week later, finishing 13 strokes behind Young in the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
“Look, he’s McIlroy. I don’t mean to disrespect him, especially around here (Augusta National), but I don’t think he’s ready (to win) and I don’t like him as much as I did this time last year,” former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley told Sky Sports.
“He was injured last month and came here and made his big break. He’s never had more than a week off before winning five majors, but this time he’s had three weeks off and you can see with all the obligations he had to fulfill this week.”
Sky Sports’ Butch Harmon added: “I think he’ll come here a little more relaxed. He doesn’t have the burden of having to win a Grand Slam.”
“I talked to him a lot this week on the practice field and he’s very relaxed and has a really good feel for his game. I’m not going to say he’s going to win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.”
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald added: “I’ve always thought of Rory as a very childish person. He just likes to go out and have fun and that’s when he’s at his best.”
“Rory at Augusta – his game, his profile, the way he plays, how well he hits the tee, how he plays with the irons – you know he’s a good fit for this course. I’m confident he can get up there. What he’s done in the game is incredible, but I expect him to continue winning a couple more majors.”
A relaxed McIlroy said he was heading into his latest major challenge with “a weight off my shoulders.” He can now shoulder the burden of a Grand Slam and enjoy this tournament for the rest of his playing career.
When will the Masters be broadcast live on Sky Sports?
Wall-to-wall coverage of the tournament will begin at 2pm on Thursday, with regular updates from around the course and featured group action on Sky Sports Golf until the global broadcast slot begins at 6pm.
The same timing will apply on Friday, with an early start heading into the weekend. Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m., with serious coverage beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing long after the final putt is holed.
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Butch Harmon talks about potential British winner on Sky Sports Golf Podcast
The infamous Amen Corner stream will also be available to watch, focusing on the famous three-hole stretch from No. 11, and that featured group of programming will also be available on the Sky Sports+ channel.
Feeds for holes 4, 5 and 6 will be live every day as soon as the opening group arrives on that part of the course, with separate streams covering holes 15 and 16, and featured groups will also be available on Sky Sports+.
Who will win the Masters? Watch the opening match of this year’s Major live exclusively on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the first round will begin on Sky Sports Golf from 2pm on Thursday. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
