The Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy 'relaxed' ahead of title defence and sets new goals after Grand Slam glory at Augusta

Rory McIlroy insists there is more he wants to achieve in golf ahead of his title defence at The Masters, a year on from seeing his "dream come true" by completing the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy ended his 11-year wait for an elusive fifth major title with a 'roller-coaster' victory at Augusta National, where he squandered a four-shot lead on his back nine before defeating Justin Rose in a play-off.

That win saw McIlroy become just the sixth player in history to win all four majors and complete the career Grand Slam, with the Northern Irishman now having the chance to become just the fourth player in history to win back-to-back editions of The Masters.

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McIlroy joked "what we all going to talk about next year?" after his 2025 success, a victory he has previously described as "my Everest", although remains motivated to build on his Grand Slam glory.

When asked what the narrative is heading into his title defence, McIlroy said: "I think the story as it relates to me is what do I do from now onwards? What motivates me? What gets me going? What do I still want to achieve in the game? I think that's the story.

"There's still a lot that I want to do. You think every time you achieve something or have success that you'll be happy, but then the goalposts move, and they just keep nudging a little bit further and further out of reach.

"I think what I've realised is, if you can just really find enjoyment in the journey, that's the big thing. I felt like the career Grand Slam was my destination, and I got there, and then I realised it wasn't the destination."

McIlroy described the past 12 months as "amazing" and said he has "tried to embrace and enjoy every part of life" as a Masters champion, with the world No 2 feeling different to how he did heading into past editions of the tournament.

"I think for the past 17 years I just could not wait for the tournament to start, and this year I wouldn't care if the tournament never started!" McIlroy joked. "It's completely different.

"I feel so much more relaxed. I know that I'm going to be coming back here for a lot of years, going to enjoy the perks that the champions get here. It doesn't make me any less motivated to go out there and play well and try to win the tournament, but yeah, just more relaxed about it all."

He later added: "I think the nice thing now is instead of it being 'come on, Rory, you know you can do this', it's [can he go] back to back. There's a real positive connotation to it instead of 'geez, Rory, we've been waiting a while. When are you going to get this done?'

"It's just very different, and maybe that's just my perception of it, but it is so nice to walk around the property or be out on the golf course and not have that hanging over me. It feels that it's a big weight off my shoulders."

'Patience was rewarded' - McIlroy reflects on Masters victory

McIlroy equalled the largest first-round deficit to win The Masters last year, coming back from seven behind after the opening day, with his patience rewarded to end his 11-year major drought.

"I didn't overreact on Thursday when I made those two double bogeys," McIlroy explained. "I didn't overreact when I was only one-under through nine on Friday.

"I think not overreacting and not pressing too hard, I stayed patient - or as patient as I could be - and I feel like that patience was rewarded. I played a 14-hole stretch in 10-under after that, and that was literally the stretch of golf that won me the golf tournament.

"I think in years past I would have went for a pin I shouldn't have went at, missed in the wrong spot, made another bogey, and then all of a sudden the round starts to get away from you, especially around here. Last year I didn't let that happen to me and that was a big difference."

On whether The Masters presents the best chance for McIlroy to add to his major tally, McIlroy suggested: "I feel like I've got another, hopefully, 10 good shots of winning this.

"Not that I don't at the other majors, but I just think that everything here is a little more predictable. I just think the more experience you have around this golf course, the better it is."

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(c) Sky Sports 2026: The Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy 'relaxed' ahead of title defence and sets new goals after Grand Slam glory at Augusta