'Lot of my career left': Relaxed Rory McIlroy says he’s more motivated than ever after Masters repeat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rory McIlroy appeared rested and relaxed as he prepared for his first tournament since repeating as Masters champion.

Just don’t let that be confused with complacency.

The world’s No. 2-ranked player said he feels “more motivated” than ever heading into a major stretch that includes the PGA Championship next week outside of Philadelphia and the U.S. Open next month at Shinnecock Hills. First up though is this week’s Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, where McIlroy earned his first PGA Tour victory 16 years ago and has won four times.

“I’m excited for the road ahead,” the six-time major champion said Wednesday after his Pro-Am round.

It’s been more than three weeks since McIlroy slipped on the green jacket for a second time after becoming just the fourth player in 90 years to go back-to-back at the Masters.

He described this year’s post-Masters break from golf as “less hectic” than last year’s whirlwind tour.

The 37-year-old McIlroy spent most of his time at his home in Jupiter, Florida, although he did visit New York with his wife Erica Stoll and attended a White House state dinner held for King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

But it’s what he didn’t do that has left him feeling refreshed.

He didn’t travel back home to Northern Ireland to celebrate his Masters win like he did in 2025, largely because his parents were already in the United States to see it in person. They skipped last year’s Masters so as not to jinx their son’s chances of completing the career grand slam after years of disappointment.

He also didn’t do the media rounds, electing for more “chill” time at home, allowing him to take his daughter Poppy to tennis lessons.

“I gave myself a good 10 days to enjoy myself and then thought I needed to get back on the range and start to practice and get ready for this stretch coming up,” McIlroy said.

The stretch begins Thursday with the tuneup at Quail Hollow, a place where McIlroy is adored by fans and often serenaded with the “Happy Birthday” song given the tournament often falls during his birthday.

He was 20 when he won his first PGA tournament here, earning him immediate popularity in Charlotte.

In some ways, he’s become the city’s adopted golfer.

He has won here four times on a course that sets up perfectly to complement his length off the tee, including a dominant seven-shot victory in 2015 in which he established a new tournament record at 21-under 267 after a third-round 61.