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Rory McIlroy reveals what 2026 Masters victory taught him
TL;DR
Rory McIlroy celebrated his 2026 Masters victory, humorously noting that his green jacket still fits. He reflected on the lessons learned from his win at Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy reveals what 2026 Masters victory taught him
AUGUSTA, GA â Rory McIlroy had oh-so-much to celebrate on the final day of the Masters.
Before we get to the golf, start with his waistline.
âIt still fits,â McIlroy joked of his green jacket, the 38 Regular back on his shoulders after going back-to-back at Augusta National.
Give the tailor the night off. McIlroy looks a natural in that jacket.
You see, thereâs a common misconception about being a repeat champion at the Masters. McIlroy wonât receive a second green jacket for winning in consecutive years.
As a repeat winner, you just slip back into the same green jacket thatâs already yours.
The fit suits him.
Now, the question becomes: How many majors will he finish with?
âI don't want to put a number on it,â McIlroy said, âbut I certainly donât want to stop here.â
2025: Rory McIlroy
2024: Scottie Scheffler (second win).
2023: Jon Rahm
2022: Scottie Scheffler
2021: Hideki Matsuyama.
2020: Dustin Johnson
2019: Tiger Woods (fifth win).
2018: Patrick Reed.
2017: Sergio Garcia.
2016: Danny Willett.
Jordan Spieth dons the green jacket after winning the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
2014: Bubba Watson (second win).
2005: Tiger Woods (fourth win).
2004: Phil Mickelson.
2002: Tiger woods (third win).
2001: Tiger woods (second win).
1 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2025: Rory McIlroy
1 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2025: Rory McIlroy
2 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2024: Scottie Scheffler (second win).
3 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2023: Jon Rahm
4 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2022: Scottie Scheffler
5 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2021: Hideki Matsuyama.
6 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2020: Dustin Johnson
7 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2019: Tiger Woods (fifth win).
8 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2018: Patrick Reed.
9 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2017: Sergio Garcia.
10 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2016: Danny Willett.
11 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
Jordan Spieth dons the green jacket after winning the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
12 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2014: Bubba Watson (second win).
13 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2005: Tiger Woods (fourth win).
14 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2004: Phil Mickelson.
15 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2002: Tiger woods (third win).
16 / 16
Masters champions: Every winner at Augusta since 2000
2001: Tiger woods (second win).
No reason it should stop here.
This 12-under triumph felt like no fluke. Instead, consider it greatness and grit.
Rory McIlroy wins sixth major, Arnold Palmer within reach
McIlroy went a decade between winning his fourth and fifth major championships. He went 12 months between Nos. 5 and 6.
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Heâs tied with Phil Mickelson, Nick Faldo and Lee Trivino at six majors. Heâs not going to catch Jack Nicklaus. Tiger Woods, either, but he could catch or surpass other legends.
Arnold Palmer (seven majors) and Tom Watson (eight) are within reach. Gary Player (nine), too, if he pushes it.
McIlroyâs game is dialed in, but heâs never lacked for talent. This week, he looked relaxed and resolute. Not immune to pressure or an occasional bad hole, but experienced enough to overcome hiccups, rather than becoming unglued by them.
What Masters taught Rory McIlroy
Any number of talented players can win one major. Two, even.
To rack up as many as McIlroy has, you need some steeliness, too.
The Masters previously brought McIlroy so much heartache. He blew it here in 2011. Again, in 2018.
He loves this place, its history, its traditions, its Pantone 342. The fans love him back. They were chanting his name after he tapped in for victory. He finished each round atop the leaderboard.
âThis place feels like my home course,â McIlroy said.
Having to wait 17 years for his first Masters triumph taught McIlroy something.
âJust keep going,â he said. âJust keep your head down and keep going. If you put the (reps) in and work on the right things, eventually, itâll come good for you.â
All of us would do well to remember that lesson.
Keep pushing.
After the breakthrough finally came for McIlroy, it came again a year later.
This tournament likes its veterans, as the only major that doesnât shift venues.
Nicklaus won his final major at Augusta in 1986 at 46 years old, Tiger at 43.
By comparison, McIlroy is but a lad.
Rory McIlroy one of the great ones after defending green jacket
The great ones like Rory. Heâs one of them.
Fred Couples, a Masters winner who still plays here at 66 years old, picked Rory to win. Freddie, you olâ Nostradamus.
McIlroy is chummy with Nicklaus, too. The Golden Bearâs advice to him this week: No bleeping double bogeys.
Whoops, McIlroy made one in Round 3, as the challengers closed the gap, and another double on No. 4 on Sunday â âI donât make it easy,â he said â but he also made oh-so-many clutch birdies, including a pair of gutsy ones in Amen Corner to stitch up this victory.
McIlroy cemented his status as a career Grand Slam winner last year. This triumph elevates him to Masters royalty by becoming one of four players to go back-to-back.
If you want to put a number on him, go right ahead. But, Rory wonât help you along.
âI felt like the Grand Slam was the destination,â McIlroy said, âand I realized it wasn't. I'm on this journey to â I don't know (where).â
No need to force the answer to that question now. Instead, get this champion a beverage.
âI'll have a good time tonight,â McIlroy joked with reporters afterward, âand I'll probably have a sore head flying back to Florida tomorrow morning.â
A sore head, maybe, but also a jacket that still fits, a major championship that suddenly suits him, a career still in its prime, and a target thatâs still in front of him.
Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rory McIlroy not chasing a number, instead Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson
Q&A
What did Rory McIlroy learn from his 2026 Masters victory?
Rory McIlroy shared insights about the lessons he gained from winning the 2026 Masters, emphasizing personal growth and resilience.
How many times has Rory McIlroy won the Masters?
Rory McIlroy has won the Masters twice, with his most recent victory occurring in 2026.
What is the significance of the green jacket in golf?
The green jacket is awarded to the winner of the Masters Tournament, symbolizing their victory and membership in the exclusive Augusta National Golf Club.
Where is the Masters Tournament held?
The Masters Tournament is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
