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Rory McIlroy's private jet and how it helped him win the 2026 Masters
TL;DR
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters after utilizing his Gulfstream G650ER private jet for multiple practice trips to Augusta, Georgia. His strategic travel allowed him to balance family time and practice efficiently in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
Rory McIlroy's investment has paid off. The Masters champion flew to Augusta, Georgia, several times in the month prior to the season's first major, each time hopping on his Gulfstream G650ER, which he purchased late in 2024.
McIlroy, who lives in Jupiter, Florida, not only made overnight trips — once about six weeks prior to the Masters to play with his father, Gerry — but said he even would drop off his daughter at school, make a trip to Augusta to practice and return in time to have dinner.
"I did a couple of days where I dropped Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her, or had dinner with (his wife) Erica, probably," McIlroy said after his second round of the Masters last Friday. "I did a couple of day trips that I felt it was a better use of my time than going to Houston or San Antonio."
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland waits to putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walk to the 16th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the sixth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland waits to putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walk to the 16th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Photos: Rory McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the sixth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
McIlroy won his second consecutive Masters, the fourth golfer to do so, by shooting a final-round 71 and finishing one-shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, now has won six major championships.
McIlroy's final event before the Masters was the Players Championship back in mid-March. He then skipped the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, as well as the the Houston Open and Texas Open to concentrate on his Masters preparation.
The costs for Rory McIlroy's Gulfstream G650
The trip from West Palm Beach to Augusta is about 480 miles. The Gulfstream G650 cruises at about 476 mph including takeoff and landing, meaning about an hour trip each way.
Rory McIlroy holds the Masters championship trophy while standing with his parents, Rosie and Gerry, his wife, Erica Stoll, and his daughter, Poppy, during the green jacket ceremony after winning the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
The jet, valued from $40 to $60 million, burns about 470 gallons of fuel per hour. With the national average for jet fuel for a Gulfstream G650 around $7.78 per gallon, McIlroy's cost for fuel was about $7,300 for a round trip.
Add on the operating costs and McIlroy's investment just for the Masters was significant.
Considering the prize money for winning the tournament was $4.5 million, McIlroy made a wise investment.
The G650ER, one of Gulfstream Aerospace's most popular jets, holds up to 19 passengers and features 16 panoramic windows and luxury living areas. When flying home, McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, lands at Belfast City Airport, close to his family home in Holywood.
The annual cost for flying a Gulfstream G650 private jet 200 hours per year is approximately $2 million.
McIlroy has made just shy of $114.7 million in prize money during his career, second to Tiger Woods. He earns an estimated $35 million to $55 million annually from off-course sponsorships.
McIlroy is about $6.3 million from overtaking Woods as the PGA Tour's all-time money leader.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rory McIlroy's private jet and how it helped him win the 2026 Masters
Q&A
How did Rory McIlroy's private jet contribute to his 2026 Masters win?
McIlroy's private jet enabled him to make several quick trips to Augusta for practice, allowing him to efficiently manage his time between family and preparation.
What is the Gulfstream G650ER and why did McIlroy purchase it?
The Gulfstream G650ER is a long-range business jet that McIlroy purchased in late 2024 to facilitate his travel for golf tournaments and personal commitments.
When did Rory McIlroy start making trips to Augusta for the Masters?
McIlroy began making trips to Augusta about six weeks before the 2026 Masters, practicing multiple times prior to the tournament.
Where does Rory McIlroy live and how does it relate to his travel for the Masters?
Rory McIlroy lives in Jupiter, Florida, which allows him to make quick trips to Augusta, Georgia, for practice while still being able to return home for family dinners.
