For a decade he has been attempting to land that coveted Inexperienced Jacket to fulfill a set that presently consists of trophies from two US PGA Championships (2012 and 2014), The Open (2014) and US Open (2011).
The Masters is the one which he most desires, however he’s additionally pushed by the considered successful an away Ryder Cup – for the second time – and including Olympic glory. The truth is, give him these and his urge for food {for golfing} success can be lastly sated.
“Successful the Masters, successful an Olympic medal and one other away Ryder Cup, they’re my three objectives for the remainder of my profession,” McIlroy informed NEWSTORN Sport.
In fact, this former Olympic sceptic has to attend for the Los Angeles Video games in 2028 – maybe his final practical alternative to seize a medal – however the different two aims are firmly in his sights for this yr.
So, as he begins his 2025 PGA Tour season at Pebble Seashore this week, McIlroy is tailoring the whole lot to be in prime kind when he tees it up at Augusta on the second Thursday of April.
“I’ve realised that each one I can management is myself,” he stated. “What’s proper for me proper now’s to totally concentrate on myself and to get the most effective out of myself and get again to successful the largest tournaments on this planet.
“I have been agonisingly shut for the previous few years, with out having the ability to get it achieved and that that’s the most important focus of this yr.”
The truth that it’s greater than a decade since he final added to his checklist of main victories is likely one of the most startling statistics within the trendy recreation.
He has achieved just about the whole lot else, together with successful the celebrated Gamers Championship in 2019 which was within the days when all the world’s greatest had been competing at Sawgrass for the PGA Tour’s flagship title.
However the Gamers shouldn’t be a serious. His slimmed down 2025 schedule, enjoying extra sparingly within the US, is designed to glean success within the huge 4 occasions that finally outline careers.
“All of my observe, all of my prep, even the tournaments that I am enjoying, it is all geared in direction of being prepared for these 4 occasions,” McIlroy stated.
“Augusta is Augusta. I’ve gone via my stats and there are a few issues that had been identified to me that I may undoubtedly get higher at – sure little photographs across the greens.”
He famously blew a four-shot final-round lead with a ruinous 80 on the 2011 Masters and he was runner-up with out really contending in 2022. He light tamely when within the remaining pairing with champion Patrick Reed in 2018 in one other of his 4 top-five Augusta finishes.
Some observers imagine the house of the primary main of the yr is made for McIlroy’s highly effective recreation, but it surely has a manner of discovering him out technically and temperamentally.
